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Wellington U20s pip Manawatu to win Hurricanes Junior title
The Wellington U20s held off a strong challenge from Manawatu to win 30-27 and claim the Hurricanes Region U20 Division 1 title in the final played in the Hawke's Bay on Saturday.
Substitute Brandyn Laursen was the hero for Wellington, landing a late sideline penalty into the wind to clinch victory and title success for Wellington for the first time since 2005.
Previously, wing George Tilsley had scored Wellington's fourth try with 20 minutes to extend Wellington's lead to 27-15. In a closely fought match, Manawatu then hit back with consecutive tries to lock the scores up at 27-27 heading into the final 10 minutes.
Then with five minutes to play, Wellington were awarded a penalty, which Laurence calmly slotted from 5 metres inside the touchline. Manawatu weren't done though, launching a last, desperate raid at Wellington's line. But Wellington's defence held firm until the fulltime whistle was sounded.
Earlier, Manawatu had scored first to lead 7-0 but Wellington replied with a try to Parataiso Silafai-Leaana that was converted by Ambrose Curtis to tie the game up at 7-7.
The teams then traded penalities to be 10-10 and George Amosa scored a try in the 31st minute to take Wellington to the lead at halftime 15-10.
Manawatu tied the score up early in the second spell only for Wellington to immediately reply with a try to prop Eric Sione and converted by Player of the Tournament Ambrose Curtis to make it 22-15. George Tilsely then scored to extend the lead to 27-15 to set up a nailbiting last quarter.
Scores: Hurricanes Region Division 1 U20 final, at Taradale, Hawke's Bay: Wellington U20 30 (Parataiso Silafai-Leaana, George Amosa, Eric Sione, George Tilsely tries; Ambrose Curtis pen, 2 con; Brandyn Laursen penalty) beat Manawatu U20 27. Halftime: 15-10