Season not over for Scots first XV

‘Town were definitely the better team on the day. They dominated up front and unsettled us at the set pieces.’

SCOTS COLLEGE have lost one title but can still end the term with a trophy in the cabinet.

The Scots first XV were unable to retain their Wellington title but still have the Moascar Cup and remain in contention for the Hurricanes schools title.

Previously, a loss in the Wellington final usually marked the end of the season but that is no longer the case.

With Taranaki leaving the Hurricanes franchise, the Wellington premiership runners-up get a second life, and it is possible that Scots and St Pat’s Town could meet again, in the Hurricanes final at the end of the month.

Town are able to have a breather this weekend while Scots travel to Whanganui to play Wanganui High School.

Wanganui, who play in the Manawatu under-21 competition, might struggle against a Scots side who will want to show that their performance last weekend was not a true indication of their worth.

But Scots will not get an easy run to the Hurricanes final, as a win against Wanganui would lead to an away semifinal against Gisborne Boys’ High.

Gisborne, who lost to Scots in a Hurricanes semifinal last year, have consistently produced strong rugby sides and have been especially effective at home.

They had three wins and four losses in the Super 8 competition this year but beat Palmerston North Boys’ 23-7 at home and pushed the Super 8 finalists Hamilton Boys’ and Rotorua Boys’ in home games.

Gisborne also recorded a 39-0 win against St Pat’s Town in the first XV festival in May, though they lost to Silverstream a week later.

Scots were below their best in the Wellington final. They were up against a determined and capable Town team but made far too many errors, particularly in the first half.

Down 19-3 at halftime, Scots needed to score early in the second half but couldn’t and left Filo Tiatia Scots coach themselves with too much to do.

It was the first loss to a New Zealand team for Scots since they went down 28-26 to Silverstream in a round robin game in June last year.

Their one loss in 18 previous games this year had been at the Sanix world youth tournament, where they were beaten 34-8 in their semifinal clash with Brisbane Boys’ College.

It has also been rare for Scots to be restricted to just one try, and that came late in the final.

‘‘That’s not like us and we were disappointed with how we played, particularly in the first half,’’ Scots coach Filo Tiatia said. ‘‘We gifted them two tries in the first half.

‘‘But Town were definitely the better team on the day. They dominated up front and unsettled us at the set pieces.’’

The Moascar Cup was not at stake in the Wellington final but will be if Scots make the national top four.

The Scots squad was showing the effects of the final on Monday. ‘‘They all pulled up feeling sore and bruised,’’ Tiatia said. ‘‘It was a very physical game and also mentally draining.’’

Scots have also lost experienced lock Jarimar Schuster, who is out for the rest of the season after fracturing a leg in the final. ‘‘He has played really well for us and he still had a couple of goals he wanted to achieve this year,’’ Tiatia said.

Skipper Peter Umaga-Jensen also has some injury concerns and is not certain to play this weekend.