Blues Secondary School Top 4 Co Ed Results

Preview of the Westlake v Auckland Grammar Blues Final

By Tony Vinicombe

North Harbour 1^st XV Champions Westlake Boys High School face their most daunting challenge of the 2014 season when they meet Auckland Grammar School in the Blues Regional Final this Saturday at Eden Park.

There is no doubt that current Auckland Champions Auckland Grammar School will be overwhelming favourites to defeat Westlake and go on to the semi-final stage for the NZ title, a title they last won in 1992. Their passage to the Blues Regional Final has not been without some stern tests within the Auckland 1A competition - a 10-15 loss to St Peters in the second round and a last round loss to St Kents before despatching St Peters 24-22 in the semi-final and then avenging two consecutive finals losses to St Kents by outscoring them 31-26 in last Saturday’s Auckland final, their 66^th 1A title and first since 2006.

In the much different Harbour environment, Westlake have faced three severe tests from close rivals Rosmini College. Two draws between the sides certainly indicated that the Harbour Final would be close but no-one would have considered the scenario as it played out. Rosmini scored a try in the opening minutes but Westlake gradually established forward ascendancy to lead 19-11 and perhaps suggest that the game was theirs for the taking. Rosmini had their own ideas, their pressured defence and more astute use of their own possession forced a variety of Westlake’s errors, indiscipline and poor option taking. Three successful penalties had Rosmini ahead 20-19 with still sufficient time remaining for either team to take the honours. Westlake’s attack, leading in to the final hooter, was desperate but fruitless. Then, what followed was a concerted period of Westlake attack, matched at each step by Rosmini’s resolute defence – this continued for nigh on four minutes during which time  Westlake were awarded a touchline penalty which, understandably, they tapped and ran. Any Westlake infringement during this four minutes would have ended the game right then, but Westlake maintained their belief they could crack the opposition’s defence. This they did, scoring a try close to the posts to snatch the most unbelievable victory, 26 points to 20.

For those who had the privilege to witness this battle - one which just serves to underline the standing of the Westlake-Rosmini contests as among the very best in traditional matches around - most would agree they are unlikely to see again such an ending.

Both teams deserve great credit: Rosmini - for their overall passion on an emotional day for their school, for their comeback and finally for their never say die defending. Westlake - for their forward dominance and that steadfast belief which in the end carried the day. Hats off to both teams!

Westlake then hosted Northland Champions, Whangarei Boys, for a most unconvincing 19-15 victory.

With the Harbour/Northland winner always set to play the Auckland winner in the Blues Final, Westlake will be hoping to become the first Harbour school to succeed at this stage and thus progress to the semi-final phase of the national competition.

The last time Westlake and Auckland Grammar met was back in 2006 in similar circumstances – each had won their local 1^st XV title – to set up a home match with the Westlake crowd encouraged by a 9-0 lead (three Ben Botica penalties) and Grammar leading by only 10-9 at half-time. With seven minutes remaining, Westlake were well in it at 9-13, Grammar’s two converted tries giving them a flattering 27-9 win.

In the pre Harbour years the two schools met in the Auckland 1A competition every season from 1967 through to 1984.  Of those 18 matches Auckland Grammar won 14, Westlake won three, with one draw.

Matches to remember:

1971 - Westlake’s first win over Grammar in the 1A competition. Captain was Noel Nancekivell, Geoff Watt kicked three penalties, Graham Catley a try. Final score, 12-0.

1973 - Westlake 10, Auckland Grammar 6. Joint captains Geoff Ball and Mike Stanley. Westlake finished fourth in 1A.

1975 - Westlake 12 Auckland Grammar 12. Captained by Mike Stanley, Westlake were the only team to come close to defeating the Auckland champions.

Interesting to note that in the 1971-1975 period, Alf Butt’s 1^st XV shared the spoils with Grammar - two wins apiece and a draw. Impressive stuff!

1981 - Westlake 10, Auckland Grammar 6. Under captain Ron Williams, the Don Johnson coached team produced a memorable win. Jason Speedy kicked two penalties, Frano Botica a try.

1977 - Westlake 4, Auckland Grammar 8. In a crucial match Westlake needed to draw with Grammar to share the 1^A title with Kelston. Peter Burley scored a try, Stephen Bridge was the captain. On a muddy day many believe that referee John Pring may have unwittingly contributed to Westlake’s demise when he awarded a try to a very muddy and unidentified player who had dived on the ball. Pring thought it was a Grammar player when in fact it was Gary Brunsdon forcing the ball for what should have been  a dropout. To this day Brunsdon and his mates swear that should have been the ruling!

Almost 40 years ago for some of these matches. Will there be another twist on Sunday and will the current Westlake 1^st XV rise to the occasion to match the deeds of the teams in Alf Butt era? Kick-off for Sunday’s match is 2.25pm.

Photo By Stephen Summers

Pic - Westlake wing Willy Leaáe Toa touches down