Collegiate run hot - then cold

BROUGHT DOWN: Tom Matthews, Wanganui Collegiate fullback, is caught during the 1st XV match against Hato Paora at Collegiate yesterday. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO200615WCSMRUGBY15

WANGANUI Collegiate 1st XV survived a second-half scare yesterday afternoon to beat Hato Paora 42-19.

Impressive first-five eighth Stephen Perofeta scored 27 of the home side's points, which included his second hat-trick in two games.

But Collegiate also showed some defensive frailties as the visitors battled back from a 28-point halftime deficit to score three unanswered tries.

Perofeta open the scoring in the first five minutes as Collegiate easily controlled possession and territory. The pivot was in the action again as he put a kick through for Tate Harte to run on to for Collegiate's second.

Hato Paora were winning breakdown penalties but unable to profit before Perofeta shimmied through for his second and Harry Train added to the scoring to take Collegiate into the break 28-0 up.

But the visitors scored soon into the second half, which gave them a much-needed lift. Collegiate started falling off tackles and struggling to keep hold of the ball. Hato Paora crossed the line twice more to close the gap to nine points.

It was no surprise that Perofeta was the one to stop the rot for Collegiate, slicing through the visitors once again to complete his hat-trick and take back control of the game, before Harry Symes scored one more on the buzzer.

Collegiate assistant coach Te Ahu Teki said he was happy with his side's first half-performance but they had lost their structure and systems in the second spell.