Story courtesy of College Sport Media

Futsal is a big deal at St Patrick’s College, Wellington (Town). Town won the National Secondary Schools senior boys title three times between 2014 and 2017 and were Junior Champions in 2019.

In 2017 Town smashed Napier Boys’ High School 5-0 in the senior final with future All White Liberato Cacace scoring all five goals.

Town remained a perennial contender after that meritorious display from Cacace but until last week another senior title remained elusive.

So, when Town beat Mount Albert Grammar School (Auckland) 2-1 in the national final last Friday it was a moment of catharsis for the captain and five-year team member MJ des Tombe. 

“It was a real good feeling to win. It’s been a five-year process to get here for the Year 13 boys. We’ve had a couple of close losses and worked really hard. It feels like everything led to this,” des Tombe said. 

“Last year we lost to Shirley Boys from Christchurch in the semis. We had such a strong team that it took a long time to get over that loss. Some of the younger boys have matured a lot since then. 

“I’d like to thank our coaches Khalid Razouk and Josh Bowie. They’ve been supportive and given the boys a lot of confidence." 

Town needed to be best at their best to tame Mount Albert Grammar with des Tombe thriving in a change of role.

“I typically play on the flanks but at Nationals I was in more of a middle role to be a greater presence on defence. MAGS had a big man up front. He was good and did some damage, so it was my job to mark up on him.”

A tight tussle was broken open when Sam Gates chipped the keeper.

“I’m not sure how many goals Sam scored but it must have been a dozen. He was unreal. 

“The whole team was awesome. Charlie Hale won MVP which speaks for itself. He’s a big source of goals for us. I don’t know about his defence,” des Tombe laughed.

Town was relatively untroubled getting through pool play though St Bede’s College presented a strong challenge.

Town and the Christchurch Catholics shared a 2-2 draw and faced each other again in the semis. Town eventually subdued a “real competitive and skilful team” 3-1. 

Town also won the College Sport Wellington Regional title, defeating St Bernard’s College 4-1 in the final. Town has the chance to complete a treble on the 8^th of April in the Wellington decider against Scots College who were third at Nationals.

SPC Senior A National Fustal Championship Team

Victor Ablett

Alfie Downing

AJ Hale

Samuel Gates

Charlie Hale (MVP of the Tournament)

Joshua Ingham (GK)

MJ des Tombe (Captain)

Roma Lidstone

Albert Thompson

Xavier Gazzard-Steele

Zak Ramaekers

Surafil Keleab

Results

Pool Play - SPC (5) vs Aquinas College (2)

Pool Play - SPC (13) vs  Horowhenua College (1)

Pool Play - SPC (2) vs St Bede's College (2)

Pool Play - SPC (4) vs Wellington College (1)

Quarter Final - SPC (4) vs St Peters College (2)

Semi Final - SPC (3) vs St Bede's College (1)

Final - SPC (2) vs Mount Albert Grammar School (1)

Article added: Thursday 28 March 2024