Westlake Boys Premier League (24) vs Wesley College (12)
Westlake Boys Premier League team secured a top four spot in the CRL competition for the first time in the school’s history by overcoming Wesley College 24-12 at their home turf. The team knew that they had to defeat Wesley and hope that other results would go their way to make the semi-finals in Term 3.
Westlake started poorly with Wesley scoring in their first set of the game but the home team replied almost immediately with a stunning 80 metre individual try to Ariki Hood Kaitapu. From that point on Westlake stepped up the pressure with a smart kick and chase game to keep Wesley at their end of the field. The pressure on Wesley told with Lotu Inisi crashing over deep into the first half to give the home side a halftime lead of 10-6.
The second half started well when Westlake scored early to extend their lead to 14-6. That lead increased shortly after when Zae Wallace scored taking the score to 18-6. Unfortunately, unforced errors saw Wesley gain more possession which eventually enabled them to score out wide and convert to reduce the margin to 18-12. But Westlake failed to fold under the growing pressure and scored a well worked try out wide by Ariki Hood Kaitapu, sealing the victory 24-12.
The win have rightfully earned the team a spot in the CRL semi-finals, making history along the way. The boys will now play St Paul’s College away in the semi-final next term, which will be a special occasion for Westlake Boys, the coaching staff and players.
