Wellington break their duck

Editor

Wellington finally had reason to celebrate when they claimed a 58-34 victory over North Harbour at Westpac Stadium on Saturday.

Wellington finally had reason to celebrate when they claimed a 58-34 victory over North Harbour at Westpac Stadium on Saturday.

The win was Wellington’s first of the season, in their 10th and final match, and put a smile on their supporters’ faces after a dreadful campaign in which they lost their nine previous matches.

In a game highlighted by shoddy defence from both sides, Lions fly-half Willia Ripia was his team’s hero, scoring 24 points via six penalties and three conversions.

Wellington’s other points came through tries from Jackson Garden-Bachop, Vitor Vito, Brad Shields, Vaea Fifita, Ross Filipo and TJ Perenara.

Things didn’t always go the home side’s way, however, and North Harbour led 17-15 at half-time thanks to tries from Pita Ahki and Matt Vaega.

Wellington stepped up a gear after the break and all their tries were scored during this period with Perenara sealing his side’s maiden win in style with the final five-pointer in the 78th minute.

The result was also a fitting send-off for veteran lock Filipo who kicked two conversions in his final match.

The scorers:

For Wellington:
Tries: Perenara, Filipo, Fifita, Shields, Vito, Garden-Bachop
Cons: Ripia 3, Filipo 2
Pens: Ripia 6

for North Harbour:
Tries: Li, Takarangi, Vaega, Ahki
Cons: McGahan 2, Halangahu 2
Pens: McGahan 2

Wellington: 15 Jason Woodward, 14 Matt Proctor, 13 Shaun Treeby, 12 Marvin Karawana, 11 Afa Fa’atau, 10 Willie Ripia, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Adam Hill, 6 Brad Shields (c), 5 Ross Filipo, 4 Vaea Fifita, 3 Eric Sione, 2 Motu Matu’u, 1 Tolu Fahamokioa.
Replacements: 16 Leni Apisai, 17 Taniela Koroi, 18 James Wall, 19 Pau Halafihi, 20 Frae Wilson, 21 Ope Peleseuma, 22 Jackson Garden-Bachop.

North Harbour: 15 Robbie Robinson, 14 Luke Devcich, 13 Matt Vaega, 12 Pita Ahki, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Matt McGahan, 9 David Bason/Luke Hamilton, 8 Jimmy Tuivaiti, 7 Zak Judge, 6 Jordan Manihera, 5 Hayden Triggs (c), 4 Mike Farmer, 3 Nic Mayhew, 2 James Parsons, 1 Greg Pleasants-Tate.
Replacements: 16 Adrian Smith, 17 Alex Woonton, 18 Gerard Tuioti-Mariner, 19 Josh Blucher, 20 Luke Hamilton/Raniera Takarangi, 21 Dan Halangahu, 22 Nafi Tuitavake.

Referee: Jamie Nutbrown