📷 Masanori Udagawa / Photowellington.com

Story courtesy of College Sport Media.

St Patrick's College, Silverstream, conquered their Catholic rivals St Patrick's College, Wellington (Town) 63-48 in the Premier Boys Pohlen Cup basketball final at the Ākau Tangi Sports Centre in Kilbirnie on Friday night. 

After two consecutive defeats to Wellington College in the finals, Silverstream captured the Pohlen Cup for the first time since 2022. 

Before a bulging, boisterous crowd, the spectacle was a defensive slog where both schools' urgent defence nullified key scorers. Shooting from both schools was wayward as perhaps the occasion got the better of both.

Silverstream led 17-10 after the first quarter, with Lackie Kennedy finding his range inside and Tikei Trim providing noteworthy support. 

Town rallied in the second quarter and took a 27-26 lead at the main interval. Jayde Mauriohooho and Reuben Leota were productive. 

Silverstream regained control in the third quarter to lead 45-37 at the penultimate break. Vice captain Taylah Ford was responsible for four Silverstream buckets. 

It wasn't a pretty finale, with both teams' offences misfiring, and Town forced to foul in an attempt to stop the clock and overcome the increasing deficit. 

Despite the challenges, Silverstream deserves acclaim for its superior grit and composure, finishing the competition with an 8-2 record.

The winning squad was: Albie Betteridge, Coby Berg-McLean, Taylah Ford, Maikooi Horizon, Elijah Sheehan, Arana Robertson, Lucas Sargent, Milan Ekenasio, Lackie Kennedy, Tikei Trim, Leroy Grimmer, and Sam Flux.

Coach Terry Stallworth has now won two Pohlen Cup titles with Silverstream, with valuable assistance from Tyler Mataiti and Sautia Misa.

Unfortunately, Town couldn't replicate their giant-killing feat from the previous week, when they eliminated the 2023 National Champions, Wellington College, 85-82, in the semifinals. Coach and former Tall Black Brendon Polyblank was candid in his assessment afterwards.

"That was one of the worst games we've played. We decided to press, got a couple of turnovers, but they made some adjustments. When Arana Robertson fouled out, we still had a chance but couldn't capitalise. We took bad shots; guys weren't moving the ball. It was an ugly game."

It would be remiss not to pay tribute to Wayne Mills, the St. Pat's Town deputy rector, who is retiring after 36 years as a teacher and coach at the end of 2025. Mills had a profound impact on Town basketball, winning National titles in 2007 and 2008. Under Mills' leadership, Town won the Pohlen Cup six times.

The schools now move on to the Zone 3 AA tournament this week starting Wednesday, played at Pettigrew Arena, Napier, with 13 Wellington region and 21 schools overall competing across four boys pools.

The Wellington boys schools competing are: St Pat’s Town, Upper Hutt College, Newlands College (Pool A), Wellington College, St Pat’s Silverstream, Scots College, Onslow College (Pool B), St Bernards, Mana College (Pool C), HIBS, Rongotai College, Paraparaumu College and Aotea College (Pool D).

Eleven girls schools are in two pools in the girls section, with Wellington schools being: Wellington East Girls’ College, Mana College (Pool A), Queen Margaret College, St Mary’s College, Wellington Girls’ College and Sacred Heart College (Pool B)

This tournament goes until Saturday with the two grand finals that evening, and it serves as qualification for the NZSS AA Basketball Championships, held at Palmerston North between 22-27 September.

Article added: Monday 25 August 2025