Schools rugby: Kelston into World Schools Rugby Festival final, but Westlake beaten

Kelston Boys' High will contest the final of  the World Schools Rugby Festival in Abu Dhabi.

Auckland and Blues region First XV champions Kelston Boys' High will contest the final of the World Schools Rugby Festival in Abu Dhabi on Saturday night (NZ time) after a hard-fought 12-5 win over England’s Millfield School.

It meant Kelston topped Group A and now have a shot at bringing the trophy to New Zealand for a third successive year after triumphs by Hamilton Boys High in 2022 and Westlake Boys' High in 2023.

But prospects of an all-New Zealand final were thwarted when South African champions Paul Roos Gymnasium defeated defending titleholders Westlake 11-7 in the final match in Group A overnight.

In a tight contest Kelston seldom managed the fluency of their previous wins, but established a third-minute lead over Millfield. Kelston’s forwards burrowed over after being camped near the goal line and after conferring with the touch judge, a critical try was awarded, with fullback Tyson Parsons converting.

Then despite having centre Koupa Nomotu in the bin for a dangerous tackle, Kelston established a 12-0 halftime lead when, in the final play of the spell, flanker Joseph Paiali’i made a bruising burst from a 10m lineout to score.

Millfield, who had an edge at scrum time, reduced the deficit with a maul try in the second minute of the second half, and several times went close to levelling.

Meanwhile in a real arm-wrestle, Westlake were always trailing against Paul Roos Gymnasium, who were named School of the Year and Team of the Year in South Africa’s Ruggas Awards for 2024.

Paul Roos appeared to be without a number of stars from their unbeaten domestic season, but were still dominant and went ahead through an early penalty, a 23rd minute try and a further penalty to lead 11-0 at the break.

But with their first real attacking opportunity of the match early in the second half, Westlake were awarded a penalty try following two taps close to the Paul Roos line.

However Paul Roos closed the match out and Westlake will now face Millfield School in the playoff for third.

Meanwhile Papakura High School, competing in the second-tier Trophy division, have had a win and a loss so far in their campaign.

They beat RTA Barbarians, a South African Invitational XV, 21-20, but then lost 21-30 to Dess College, a private school in Dubai.