By Adam Blackwell
OBU: 34 Wellington: 17
The Old Boys-University Premiers celebrated Johnathan Fuimaono’s 150 match with a 34-17 victory over Wellington at Nairnville park today.
The wet and cold weather didn’t ruin the party as OBU were able to run in five tries, including one scored by the man of the moment Fui.
Wellington scored the first try of the match, crossing the line by way of a rolling maul after 12 minutes. That brought the score to 3-5 in favour of the visitors as earlier Dale Sabbagh had opened the scoring with a penalty kick.
OBU then hit back with three tries of their own, playing some superb running rugby in tough conditions, to lead 22-5 at halftime.
The first try was scored by Teariki Ben-Nicholas who was the benefactor of a push-over try when the OBU forward pack rumbled towards the line from a five-meter scrum.
The second was a remarkable try considering the steady rain that fell throughout the match. Halfback Matt Fowler caught the defence napping around the ruck on his own ten-meter line and made his way all the way down to the opposition 22. Then with the fullback to beat, he found Paddy Carter on the outside who turned it back on the inside for Trevahn Ta’ufo’ou who juggled the ball before scoring in the corner.
Morgan Poi went over for OBU’s third try after Agustin Escalona was dragged down just short of the line.
Wellington came out firing after halftime, scoring a try straight away to make score 22-10. Their momentum didn’t last long however, as a try from Fuimaono and a second for Ben-Nicholas stretched the OBU lead out to 34-10.
The final score was 34-17 to OBU after a late try from Wellington winger Ollie Marshall.