On Saturday, 23rd August, St Paul’s Collegiate played Hamilton Boys’ High School in the final of the Under 65Kg competition on St Paul's number one field.
Having had just the one loss in round robin play, against Hamilton Boys’, St Paul's defeated the HBHS B side in the semi-final.
The weight grade final proved a very tight game. St Paul's scored first, playing with the wind, two tries through wing, Michael Walker. HBHS then replied with a try of their own before prop, Matthew Bailey, scored just before half-time to allow St Paul's to lead by 17-5 at half-time.
St Paul’s then eased the pressure by well executed backs try, finished off by Campbell Stuart, before Hamilton Boys’ came back strongly to trail by just 19-24. James Wilkins, and then Seb Ellice, put the result beyond doubt with two final tries, to take out the final convincingly, 34-19.
Flanker, Jack Davies, second five-eight James Wilkins and flanker, Hugh Jackson, all had strong games, but the team as a whole played extremely well – showing real courage, commitment and determination.
It was St Paul’s first win in the Under 65kg division for more than two decades.
