Classic running schoolboy rugby had to be shelved in the favour of cross-country mud wrestling yesterday as Wellington College took the first step towards another Quadrangular 1st XV tournament victory by seeing off Wanganui Collegiate 31-10 at the school grounds.
Playing second on the WCS pitch, which had already hosted Nelson College's 19-6 win over Christ's College, the rain and mud intensified throughout the match as the schoolboys from the Capital, having a height and mass advantage, were able to grind their plucky hosts down while pouncing on dropped ball or slipping defenders to score three of their five tries.
Yesterday's games mean tomorrow afternoon will be a repeat of the 2013 Quadrangular tournament playoffs.
Collegiate will meet Christ's in the minor final at 12.10pm, and Wellington College will take on Nelson College in the main event at 1.45pm in their attempt to win a 12th straight title.
Led by massive prop Tristan Fuli, Wellington's pack had to work hard yesterday to get traction in the mud, but they gave their team enough time inside their opposition's dangerzone for winger Connor Fuli and second-five Sharn Robinson to score first-half tries after taking advantage of Collegiate slipping while trying to defuse attacking kicks.