Story courtesy of College Sport Media

St Patrick’s College, Silverstream are Trevor Rigby Cup champions for the first time since 2010 overcoming Hutt International Boys’ School (HIBS) 3-2 in an enthralling decider at Petone Memorial.

A second goal to Lucas Hansen with a little over five minutes remaining secured Silverstream their fifth title. HIBS was hesitant while attempting to clear close to the box.  Hansen found some space and drove the ball firmly off his right foot into the bottom left corner of the net.

HIBS peppered Silverstream with several ‘long bombs’ but keeper Josuha Allen held his nerve with a series of secure catches.

After 33 seconds Allen was a stunned mullet. Silverstream conceded a shock opener when Jamie Read was left unattended and blasted a fierce shot past a forlorn figure.

Silverstream regrouped quickly with their pressing defense and ambitious attack swinging the pendulum. In the 18^th minute, the prolific Luke Stoupe equalised with a combination of searing pace and clinical accuracy. Stoupe scored a record number of goals in the league in 2023.

Hansen’s heroics weren’t confined to the last stanza. He was effervescent and precise throughout and propelled Silverstream ahead 2-1 halfway through the first spell.

Silverstream could have extended their advantage further, often catching HIBS napping with sudden counterattacks.

HIBS keeper Aidan Soper grimly hung onto a strike that kissed part of the goal line paint. Harry Lamont employed his chest to thwart another perilously close opportunity.

Lucas Segal is one of HIBS' most instrumental players. Technically adept, tactically astute, and a study of composure he demanded urgent attention from Silverstream. Segal levelled the score by halftime with a cooly-taken penalty.

Expectations the second half would emulate the pyrotechnics of the first would be greedy. It was frenetic and inevitably proceedings cooled. HIBS concerned by the swiftness of Silverstream was more compact and physical on defense. Genuine chances for both sides were restricted to a premium.  

For Silverstream Phillip Fatialofa was a colossus and Sam Gribben with his nifty array of tricks a menace. Harry Lamont and Ethan Bingham were Trojans for HIBS.

Cruelly HIBS has lost consecutive finals, this year after topping the round-robin. Silverstream’s success is a rich reward for stalwarts Peter Hicks and Andrew Watterson who have been at the forefront of football at the college for two decades. 

Article added: Thursday 24 August 2023