Wainuiomata still tops in Wellington for league

ANDREW GORRIE/Dominion Post

TOPS: Wainui player Evandar Waitoa during the semi final in Wainuiomata.

Relevant offers

College Sport

Spinners set to make fortunes turn for HIBS St Pat's face tough foes in national sevens pool Discus star intent on defending title Milomilo Nanai off to US juinor college College sport results: Nov 28 Kapiti footballer wins US scholarship Hutt Valley push for place in final Late national call-up cheers Hopkinson College sport results: November 19 College sport results: Nov 14

Wainuiomata remains the hot-bed of Wellington rugby league if the results of the national secondary schools tournament are anything to go by.

Wainuiomata High School reached the final, and despite being well beaten by tournament favourites St Paul's from Auckland 50-6, put in some good performances during the week, including beating Taita 20-12 in the semifinal and Auckland's Southern Cross 14-10 and Papakura High 32-0.

It was St Paul's seventh consecutive title and 14th since 1994.

"They are just a brilliant team," Wainuiomata High School sports co-ordinator Peter Cowan said. "They certainly showed their class.

"We do have a long way to go to catch up to the Auckland schools."

Among the interested spectators at the tournament were scouts from Australian National Rugby League clubs Canterbury Bulldogs, Melbourne Storm and Newcastle Knights.

Cowan believes that several players will have been on the scouts' shopping list, with one of his players, Evander Waitoa, among them.

"I think they would have talked to him [Waitoa] and it would be great if he can get the opportunity," he said.

Waitoa, team-mate Hokianga Morunga and Brooke Watene were selected in the tournament team. Also making that team were Taita College's Axton Daniels and Fred Pule and Upper Hutt College's Kimihia Pakipaki Hemopo.

Meanwhile, the Stephen Kearney Cup competition begins today for the Western Bays and Wellington zone colleges.

Aotea play Mana and Bishop Viard host Porirua in the Western Bays zone.

Games in the Wellington zone will be played at Te Whaea between Rongotai College and St Pat's Town, with Tawa playing Wellington College.

Defending champions Upper Hutt will play their opening game tomorrow afternoon against Heretaunga College.

In the Lower Valley zone, which also begins tomorrow, Hutt Valley High face St Bernard's while Taita play Naenae.

Wainuiomata High have the bye.

- © Fairfax NZ News