Gutsy effort despite defeat for Wai Coll

Their 42-0 defeat did not reflect the gutsiness of the Wairarapa College effort when they played Feilding High School in the grand final of the Manawatu secondary schoolboys premier one rugby competition in Palmerston North on Saturday.
It was the eighth successive title win for Fielding High who had an edge in size and experience on their opposition and used it to telling effect, scoring six converted tries, three in each half.
Wairarapa College, who have been runners-up to Fielding High on seven occasions, were not disgraced, however, and created a number of scoring opportunities themselves.
They also defended stoutly, an area in which Corey McFadzean, Joe Beech and, one of the youngest members of the squad, Andrew Williams were outstanding.
Earlier Wairarapa College had completed their preliminary round fixtures with a convincing 43-11 win over Rathkeale, a game made notable by the fact three members of the side, Teihana Brown, Cody Whittaker and Thomas Kainuku, were playing their 50th matches for the first XV.
Corey McFadzean scored three tries for Wairarapa College with Teihana Brown (2), Andy Williams and Cody Whittaker also touching down.
Whittaker kicked three conversions and Danny Brown one.
The Wairarapa College team will complete their season when they participate in the annual All Black Captains quadrangular tourney at Dannevirke on September 3 and 4. Extra incentive for a big effort there has been provided by the news that coach, Paul Pottinger, will be making his swansong in that role.