7 May 2011
Whangaparaoa College 1st XV 48 Kingsway College 10
Whangaparaoa College 1st XV got the rugby season off to an excellent start with a convincing win over their local rivals Kingsway College. A large crowd of learners, teachers and parents turned out on a sunny morning to ensure the side had solid support. From the start the bigger Whanga forwards dominated play and produced good quick ball to drive 40 metres up field. When the ball was released to the backs quick hands allowed Jesse Heke the opportunity to attack the Kingsway defence he magically stepped two player s and handed off the full back to score. Whanga dominated the next period of play holding both territory and the ball but were unable to provide quick front foot ball and it took 20 minutes before a determined run by Tiaan Nelson enabled him to score a fine try This was converted by Rory O’Brien. Two more tries followed in the 1st half due to Whanga’s forward dominance. James S-B showed good insight and skill picking up a ball 5 metres out and diving low for the line enabled him to slip through 3 defenders hands. O’Brien converted again. At the end of the half the backs and forwards combined well with Reece Brogden showing good insight through distributing the ball to supporting players. One such play saw excellent support across the field by Matt Dillon who drove hard for the line touched down. A 24 – 0 score saw a confident Whanga team listen to an upbeat half time pep talk by Coach Mr Fitzgerald.
Kingsway’s best period of play came at the beginning of the 2nd half. During this period they managed to retain ball and go forward and score a fine try to put them on the scoreboard. Whangaparaoa weathered the storm through strong tackling by Mitchell Vari and Daniel Janes, who played his debut game on the wing, and aggressive rucking by Andrew Solley. Once they regained the ball the remainder of the game belonged to the Home side. The forwards supplied good ball through the scrummage and their pick and go tactics and the backs moved the ball wide giving the wingers opportunities to attack. Jesse Heke scored and outstanding individual try from 40 metres out eluding opponents through stepping and changing pace. The full bench was used to ensure that all the squad got game time. Sean Wills and Ben Forster scored tries through good support to breaks by Tye Gibbs and Rory O’Brien. O’Brien scored a fine try through a swift break from a scrum and he converted two of the second half tries. Aaron Hutchinson had one of his best games for the college providing support to breaks and harassing the opposition backs. Codi Wehi was also impressive with the ball in hand always going forward enabling front foot ball.
1st XV
Mitchell Vari
Matt Dillon
Reihann Haare
Tiaan Nelson
Andrew Solley
Jandrei Nelson
Aaron Hutchinson
Codi Wehi
Rory O’Brien
Vinay Reddy
Reece Brogden
Jesse Heke
Dayne Pennington
James Sokolich Beatson
Daniel Janes
Tye Gibbs
Replacements
James Fleming
Beaudene Pumipi
Issiah Walker
Mikaere Tepania
Sean Wills
Ben Forster
1st XV Results
7 May
WGP 48 v Kingsway 15
14 May
WGP 21 v Hato Petera 12
21 May
WGP 34 v Birkenhead 15
28 May
WGP 29 v Northcote 29
Match Reports
Whangaparaoa has made a good start to the 1st XV season with wins over Kingsway 48-10 and Hato Petera 31-12. These results have been based on an experienced forward pack and good pace in the backline. Aaron Hutchison has been leading the team well and always sets an excellent example in his attitude to training and discipline. Other forwards to shine include Cody Wehi, who is developing into an effective ball winner at the lineout and a dangerous running forward. He scored a magnificent 60 metre solo try in the final minute of the Hato Petera match which stunned the spectators. Andrew Solley is showing the benefits of his 3rd year in 1st XV rugby and is making a solid contribution in both ball carrying and defence. Newcomers to the side Matt Dillon at hooker and Jandrei Nelson in the loose have both acquitted themselves well at this level and are adding a lot of vigour. Mitchell Vari at prop also a newcomer is rapidly developing into the rock of the pack and is leading the way in terms of physicality.
The backs have made a confident start to the season. Rory O'Brien and Reece Brogden form a strong combination in the halves, their ability to break from anywhere on the field keeps the opposition on their toes. Jesse Heke is a well balanced runner at 2nd 5 and has scored 4 tries in the first 2 competition games. Sean Wills is solid at centre while the outsides James Sokolich Beatson, Tye Gibbs and Ben Forster are all playing well.
