Sports 30 June 2023
1st XV vs Auckland Grammar School Match Report
The 1st XV played their third home game of the season against Auckland Grammar School on Saturday 24 June. A game that saw members of the 1st XV Old Boys of 1963 team gather to remember the last time St Paul's beat AGS 6-3 at home. This game was always going to be a tough encounter against a clinical Auckland Grammar team who currently sit fifth on the 1A table.
The first ten minutes of the game was a start to forget with St Paul's College allowing a charge down try within two minutes and three minutes later a poor read on defence allowed Grammar in for another easy try. Within the first ten minutes of the game the score read 14-0 to Grammar with St Paul's still stuck in first gear. In very heavy conditions the St Paul's forwards finally started to build momentum through their direct running and pick and goes lead by powerful hooker
Noah Hetutu-Davis who proved unstoppable with ball in hand.
Malachi Filipo showed his class in the lineouts allowing loose forwards
Sifa Teisi, Maselino Va'auli and pocket rocket
John Matini to carry the ball strongly in heavy conditions.
The second half saw the home side St Paul's College dominate early possession through a strong kicking game by replacement 1st 5/8
Tyrone Hurt-Pickering and half back
Ben Tohi. For St Paul's 2nd 5/8
Atapana Su'a showed his strength with some strong carries while centre
Jeriko Filipi-Talisau again had a strong game. Auckland Grammar showed their class in the second half by scoring first but the home team never stopped trying and were awarded a well earned try to powerful workhorse lock forward
Waka Tate and converted by
Tyrone Hurt-Pickering. Another Year 11,
Ezekiel Davidson Faaiuaso, also made his debut for the 1st XV coming on late in the second half.
The final score was 24-7 to Auckland Grammar School who proved their class on the day by scoring 4 tries to St Paul's 1 try. The team now shift their focus to the last four games of the season. This weekend sees our 1st XV line up against local neighbours Mt Albert Grammar School, definitely a winnable game for St Paul's if they can get off to a good start and build early momentum to post early points.
news, 2023-06-28-sports-30-june-2023
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