Whitgift 1st XV v Paraparauma

Our third game in the North Island brought us to Paraparauma, a small town about 40 minutes away from Wellington the country's capital. Generous weather conditions and a seemingly flawless playing surface set the scene for a fantastic game of rugby and fortunately we were able to live up to the occasion.

Whitgift started brightly, with Jack Munnery charging down the attempted clearance of the opposition fly half in the fist minute, then collecting to score his second try of the tour and thus equal his try count for the whole of the 2008-09 season! Rob White converted leaving the score 7-0 after 2 minutes of play. Rob was able to push Whitgift further in the lead a few minutes later after a penalty for offside. Continued pressure culminated with Tommy Nicholls darting over the try line for the second score and after Rob's third successive kick Whitgift were 17-0 up.

For the rest of the half Whitgift produced some outstanding backs moves and some formidable scrummaging to cement their lead in the game. Rob White was able to add to his personal tally with a try in the left corner in the latter stages of the half and therefore take the score to 22-0. Paraparauma were limited to just one venture in our 22, with which they left with 3 points. The half time score was then 22-3.

We started the second half poorly allowing them to score a try through a disorganised defensive line, moving the score to 22-8. Shortly after that terrible start however, we were able to show our attacking flair. Will Smith on the left wing was the best attacking option of the afternoon, using his pace to beat his opposite winger and midfield players time and time again. It was his break off a well-executed backs move that led to James Canty's try. The effort was again converted by Rob leaving the score at 29-3. Soon afterward two penalties from Mr White from 40 and 30 metres respectively took Whitgift to 35 points.

Jack Valler scored a bulldozing try from an eight pick-up to rouse the crowd and a sweeping team move allowed captain Charlie Hopkins to also score. The last try of the game was scored by Sam Cornford after a 60 metre run from Mr Valler, leaving the final score at 50-8.

An outstanding performance by the Whitgift team, with noticeable efforts coming from Mr Smith, Mr White and Mr Valler. We must take forward the positives from the North Island and use them to take on the tougher challenges in the South. Paraparauma were not the strongest team, but Whitgift still had to do the job and they did it very well.

Lawrence Okoye