St Bernard’s College: 28 (John Tufele, Jacob Katoa, Johnny Valei  tries, Francis Vaa’ua 3 pen, 2 con) St Patrick’s College, Silverstream 26: (Sola Toomata, Jarrod Adams, Losi Filipo, Saio Salevao tries, Josh Weepu 3 con) HT:13-12

 The Report

St Bernard’s College recorded an historic, 28-26, victory over St Patricks College, Silverstream today. It is not often that St Bernard’s beat their Hutt Valley Catholic arch rivals! A hotly contested affair from start to finish saw numerous lead changes and St Bernard’s claim the win.

Silverstream started the stronger of the two teams when wingers Sola Toomata and Jarrod Adams scored tries in the opening twenty minutes. However St Bernard’s fullback and goal kicker, Francis Vaaúa, kept the visitors in the hunt with an impressive goal kicking display. Two penalties and then the conversion of number 8 John Tufele’s try gave the visitors a 13-12 lead at halftime. Tufele, with his barnstorming runs, was a standout for St Bernard’s.

Silverstream appeared to regain control of the game in the second spell with a try to Losi Filipo. However St Bernard’s responded strongly when Jacob Katoa crashed through and scored after some aggressive forward play.

Silverstream prop, Saio Salevao, scored next to keep the home team in front, 26-21 but an organised and abrasive set piece, in additional to tireless work from Jason Montin and Marc Soloa started to turn the game in the visitors favour.

Eventually St Bernard’s pressure began to tell and Johnny Valei’ scored a converted try to put the visitors in front, 28-26.

Silverstream had one last roll of the dice, but some handling errors cost them and St Bernard’s held onto their lead to gain a momentous victory. Coaches Mark Keating and Ben Perenise were overwhelmed by their side’s effort. Keating said “We played structured, smart rugby to come away with a great win, I am very proud of the boys.”

Acknowledgments: Matt Beachen for photos, Dave Henderson