This game was the play off for 3rd and 4th in the grade. Both teams were determined to get something out of the season after losing the semi-finals last weekend.
St Pauls started well dominating territory for most of the first half. St Pauls crossed the line several times, but the referee was not in a good position to award tries. Half time saw St Pauls narrowly winning 3 -0 with a penalty to Dean Fullerton.
St Pauls started the second half well, but couldn’t break the Piopio defence. Piopio counter attacked and scored a try half way through the second half – score 7 -3. Sustained pressure by St Pauls in the last 10 minutes saw Max Collingwood finally go over to make the final score 10 -7.
The top 4 teams in the Under 16 grade were good sides, two being 1st XVs with “dispensated players”. The St Pauls Under 16s had half their side in Year 10, giving away maturity and size. Given this, coming 3rd overall was a successful season – well done to all players.
