Basketball 

The 1st V took on Henderson High School in the final after a fantastic season, winning all but 1 game, only losing to Henderson High School earlier in the season. 

A very close game with shot-making and drives by Leaam Kelemete, Aukustino Etuale, Solomon Nash, and Sebastian Smith helped to push the team to fight back and tie the game at full time, at 30-30. The team then played in overtime, with fantastic defence leading to some great team fast breaks, to tie the game again 36-36. 

The final outcome was decided by a free throw shoot out, with Captain Leaam Kelemete stepping up and swishing the first one, Henderson missed their free throw meaning St Paul’s College won the game, and ceiling a near-perfect finish to the Open B Boys Grade. 

Full credit to all the team with each player playing their part, congratulations to: Leaam Kelemete, Aukustino Etuale, Solomon Nash, Sebastian Smith, Joseph Samuels, Nathanael Fatialofa, Kyan Henry, Ngatu Lui and Zephan Pita-Lafaele.

We would like to congratulate Mr Jebb and the 1st V Basketball team for winning their recent final vs Henderson High School at The Trusts stadium. This result is no fluke - it's the culmination of many, many training sessions - before and after school. It's the culmination of Mr Jebb's work ethic and attention to detail as a coach. 

Basketball continues to flourish at St Paul's, as well as nationally where it is now the number one sport played in secondary schools with no signs of slowing down. As St Paul's sports program evolves, as College Sport competition evolves over time so to do the codes St Paul's offers to existing and new families. Well done to all students who are willing to try a new sport, put themselves outside their comfort zone and compete with more experienced, sometimes better resourced opposition - this takes courage and for this we should all be proud. 

Thank you to Tui Cocker and Mr Meads who have supported Mr Jebb and the 1st V all season.

Football

St Paul's 13th Grade - St Paul's 6 vs Mt Albert Grammar 2
With two more games remaining in the season our younger football side continues to improve every week and always play with smiles on their faces and a great set of St Paul's supporters on the sidelines. St Paul's recently played Mt Albert Grammar with both teams sitting even on the table and eyeing up a victory to help them move up the ladder. A close game was broken up quickly by the speed at which St Paul's could counter attack with Julius Siu (Year 9), Ebenezer Asnake (Year 9) and their exceptional pace on the break causing problems for the MAGS defence. Both got on the scoresheet midway through the first half to set the tone for the game. Good game reading from Marseille Niuula (Year 11) in goal and great goal kicking ensured the majority of the game was played in MAGS half of the field. Iggy Veukiso and Toby Strawbridge (Year 7) were strong in defence along with Jan Maglangit (Year 9). Hezza and Jezza Al-Nuaimi gave their usual 100% effort along with Leeroy Skudder (Year 9) and young Ben Pham (Year 7), who had his best game of the season anchoring down the midfield against opposition two years older!

St Paul's 15th Grade - St Paul's 3 vs Mt Albert Grammar 2
For the last round robin match of the season, our young men lined up against a Mt Albert Grammar team who had beaten all before them and were on track for an unbeaten season. However St Paul's had different ideas and showed their strong intent whilst also fielding two Year 9 students in Julius Siu and Kevin Bentley up against MAGS team of Year 11's.

The game was end to end with the strong backline of Hugo Lloyd, Douglas Calvert (Year 10) and Ardyn McCarthy (Year 11) providing cover in front of stand-in goalkeeper Ryan Halfpenny (Year 10) stopping anything going in our goal from MAGS. Going on the attack the midfield group (Liam Kellet, Hezza Al-Nuami, Kevin Bentley, Iverson Niuula and Maximo Dadah) were providing plenty of ball and a platform for the three strikers (Diego Osikai, Julius Siu and Preston Stanley) to use their speed and cause havoc on the MAGS backline.

Goals from Liam Kellet, Julius Siu, and a goalkeeper clearance from Ryan Halfpenny which eluded the MAGS keeper got the young men home. Special mention to Hezza Al-Nuaimi and Preston Stanley who both played their best games for St Paul's College to date. It was also great to have Iverson Niuula back on the field where his presence was enjoyed by his teammates and coaching staff alike.

Rugby Union

1st XV Report
The final two games of the season saw the team play away against De La Salle before finishing at home against brother school Sacred Heart College.

Usually a traditional rival in the 13 man code, a tough battle was still expected, especially with not much separating both teams on the points table. The game kicked off with De La Salle, playing with a strong breeze, they looked to play territory with long raking kicks, into St Paul's half. St Paul's responded with a strong counter attacking game led by Sebastian Smith (Year 12) and Ezekiel Davidson Fa'aiuaso (Year 12) who's incisive running game caused issues for the De La Salle defence. Numerous opportunities inside the De La Salle half finally turned into points, when Ben Tohi (Year 13) scored in the corner for the teams first try, at the back of some good work by the forward pack. De La Salle responded immediately with a try which they converted, to take the score to 7-5. St Paul's had the upper hand in most facets of the game, including field position as well as a dominant set piece, they were not able to convert multiple opportunities into points. De La Salle took theirs and went ahead after two more tries to take the score out to 19-5. A try to Meki Sosefo (Year 13) took the score out to 19-10. St Paul's will be ruing missed opportunities, in a tough battle in Mangere. Final score 19-10. Final game of the season was against brother school Sacred Heart College. With the Hibernian shield and Confortare Esto Vir Cup on the line, it has been a long time since St Paul's contested either one of those trophies. The team knew they would be in for a real challenge, as the 2023 champions had come into this week, fresh from their win against St Peters. As expected, the game started with both teams looking to find early field possession, Sacred Heart playing with a strong breeze, was able to find the back field of St Paul's with ease. With their big mobile forwards and offloading game, St Paul's found it difficult to defend as the game was played at a good pace. Sacred started fast, scoring 4 tries in the first half. St Paul's only try by Cruz Scott (Year 12) who finished a passage set up by Ikhan Epati-Faifua (Year 13) would be the only points of the game for St Paul's, as Sacred Heart proved why they are reigning champions, dominating the game, through their big runners, who were playing with pace and power. While it wasn't how the team wanted to finish the season, they can still be proud of the fact, the team will remain in 1A for 2025. 

A big thank you goes out to our Year 13 students who played their final game of rugby for the school, we appreciate your service and dedication to the 1st XV, a special mention to Waka Tate, Noah Hetutu Davis who have played four years while Meki Sosefo played three years in the 1st XV. Other Year 13 students included Micah Samuela, Jonathan Elone, Ikhan Epati-Faifua, Devante Hurrell-Epati, Lucky Kali, Ben Tohi, John Matini, Sifa Teisi, and Steven Moala. I'd also like to thank our coach and management staff for the tireless hours behind the scenes throughout the season, we cannot express our appreciation for the commitment, dedication and sacrifices our coaches and management have made for our young men this year. Finally, we would like to thank our supporters, families and sponsors for their unwavering support this season.