St Pauls road trip into the Taranaki heartland
Conditions started out fine and the track slightly heavy. As the game progressed wet weather made it a game of two quite different conditions for each half.
Francis Douglas worked hard in the first half asking much of the St Paul's defence. St Paul's scrums had slight dominance with the front row of Taylor Hayes, Samisoni Taukei’aho and in particular Aaron Clelend laying a good foundation. There were 13 lineouts in the first half and again our set piece worked well with Jaden Verryt and Trent Collingwood taking good ball with support by their team. However it was Francis Douglas that controlled the first half, kicking well and taking advantage of the opportunities created. They had a 10-0 lead at half time.
Francis Douglas scored again after the break but from here it was St Paul's that applied the pressure. Aaron Cleland scored close to the posts from a ruck metre from the line. As the weather deteriated handling became difficult. Francis Douglas often kicked deep into our territory and these were fielded well by Arjun Singh. Arjun controlled the high or skidding ball well punting a return in Francis Douglas’s half.
St Paul’s team worked hard to get back into the game. Sam Bowley had another hard grafting game before coming off with a head knock and Thomas Gordon was again good at the break down. Rhodri Mackenzie scored the last try on full time from a determined St Paul's attack. Connor Fullerton went blind side passed to Samisoni flicked on to Rhodri for a try in the corner. It was now raining and the ground soft.
Arjun converted from the sideline.
The result Francis Douglas 15 to St Paul's 12.
