WIS lifts Piri Weepu Cup

By Frank Neill

Wainuiomata Intermediate School’s Rugby team has brought the Piri Weepu Cup back to the valley.

The trophy is contested annually between Wainuomata Intermediate and Masterton Intermediate School.

Following an extremely close encounter Wainuiomata emerged the victors by 38-36 in this year’s challenge, played at Memorial Park, Masterton, on 10 August.

The scores were almost as close at half time, with Wainuiomata holding a slender 22-21 lead.

Masterton Intermediate was leading the encounter with around five minutes to play. However Kayden Willemse then scored what proved to be the winning try. Masteron then threw everything they could into the final few minutes, however the Wainuiomata defence held firm.

Wainuiomata’s half back Luka Sue was named player of the day.

The Piri Weepy Cup has been contested by the two schools since 2020. Wainuiomata won the first match but Masterton won the next two encounters in 2021 and 2022.

The trophy is usually contested over two matches, but this year there was just the one game.

In order to get to the match, the Wainuiomata team had to battle its way through falling snow, an event the players all enjoyed.

The team is now training hard for the next big competition, the Wellington Regional Intermediate School tournament on 30 August.

This year’s tournament will be hosted by Naenae Intermediate School and will see teams from throughout the greater Wellington region taking part.

Teams will travel from as far north as Levin and Masterton for the event. The victorious