Showdowns cap college season

Wairarapa College are in contention for the two major titles when the Wellington secondary schools hockey competitions are finalised tomorrow.

Their girls first XI will be up against arch-rivals St Matthew's Collegiate in an all-Wairarapa grand final to be played at Clareville starting at 6.15pm, while the boys first XI take on Wellington College in their decider at the National Hockey Stadium in Wellington, starting at 6.30pm.

Having the Wairarapa College v St Matthew's match played at Clareville is a coup for officials of both teams as past finals between the two colleges have, much to their frustration, been staged in Wellington.

Everything points to their fixture being an absolute thriller as the scoreboard from four previous meetings this season reads one win apiece and two draws.

It can be argued, however, that bragging rights are with Wairarapa College as they beat St Matthew's 2-1 in the semifinals of the Federation Cup national tournament in Albany late last month and then went on to to win that title. St Matthew's finished a meritorious third.

Giving tomorrow's grand final even more meaning is that the trophy played for annually between the two colleges, the Dunce Cup, will also be at stake.

The Wairarapa College boys team will have taken confidence from the fact that, whereas they placed eighth at the Rankin Cup national tournament in Invercargill, Wellington College was 16th and last, meaning they were relegated from that event for 2012.

In Wellington competition play, however, Wellington College have the better record of the two, scoring two late goals to beat Wairarapa College 3-2 in their only meeting during qualifying round action, and suffering just one loss. They also came out on top 3-1 when they met Wairarapa College in last year's grand final.

Kuranui College is also in line for two Wellington titles this season. Their girls first XI play off for the premier two spoils while their boys first XI chase premier three honours. The winners receive promotion next season.