LUZ ZUNIGA/STUFF
Centre Ryan Churchill, shown here against St Thomas', scored three tries in Waimea's big plate semifinal win over St Andrew's College.
Waimea Combined Schools stormed into the plate final as Nelson College's UC Championship title hopes ended in Christchurch on Saturday.
Waimea produced their most clinical performance of their brief history to upset the highly-fancied St Andrew's College 57-14 in their second-tier plate semifinal, also in Christchurch.
But it was more bad news for a Nelson College side looking to win just their second Crusaders region schools rugby title after going down 40-34 to top seeds Christchurch BHS in their championship playoff.
However, everything fell nicely into place for Waimea as they systematically took St Andrew's apart in front of their stunned home supporters.
Having finished fifth in the regular season standings, St Andrew's were favoured to take out the plate competition. But eighth-placed Waimea dominated all facets of play to outscore the home team by nine tries to two and will now head to Christchurch next Saturday to meet St Thomas of Canterbury College in the final.
Waimea produced a complete team performance as their forwards' impressive grunt work laid the foundations for Waimea's slick backs to cut loose.
And while there were no individual stars, centre Ryan Churchill distinguished himself by scoring a hat-trick of tries, all of them in the first half, as Waimea took a handy 29-14 lead into the break.
Although St Andrew's had cut the margin to 15-14 after 19 minutes, Waimea stepped up another gear to add a further six unanswered tries and leave the home team drowning in their wake.
Waimea's defensive line speed shut down St Andrews' attack as Waimea's forwards constantly breached the gain line to allow their backs plenty of attacking freedom as they eventually contributed eight of the team's nine tries.
Meanwhile, despite a handy 22-12 halftime lead, Nelson were unable to hold out the rampant defending champions in the second half.
Christchurch took an early lead with an intercept to speedy second five-eighth Tahu Kaa-Goodwillie. Nelson responded immediately with a brace of their own as a strong midfield of Karl Ratcliffe and Caleb Coventry cut capers through the Christchurch defence.
With first five-eighth Taine Robinson carrying the ball to the line strongly, there were plenty of attacking options for the visitors.
Kyle Te Tai and Caleb Havili led a strong forward effort, although at times the loose forwards struggled to get to the breakdowns to secure possession. Christchurch's openside flanker Sam Caldwell excelled at this area and he effected numerous turnovers.
Nelson unravelled somewhat in the second half as Christchurch unleashed their strong bench.
Rico Syme moved from fullback to first five-eighth and gave them greater control as he more effectively used the steady supply of front foot ball. Big replacement wing Jack Harris excelled with his strength and pace.
An increasingly dysfunctional Nelson lineout was put under further pressure from tall lock Nathan Fahey-Baker.
Although live-wire half back Graham Urquhart continued to make some strong darts from the base and was supported by the customary speed and guile of elusive full back Leicester Faingaanuku, Christchurch became increasingly dominant and took the match out of Nelson's grasp.
It was a disappointing finale for Nelson College but they will reflect on a season that included a Quadrangular Tournament victory and successfully defending the Moascar Cup.
AT A GLANCE
Waimea Combined Schools 57 (Ryan Churchill 3, Reuben Chubb, Jayde Palmer, Jan Lammers, Jamie Thompson, Justin Barr, Cody Fearnely tries, Josh McPherson 6 con) St Andrew's College 14. HT: 29-14.
Christchurch BHS 40 Nelson College 34 (Karl Ratcliffe, Caleb Coventry, Ilaisa Gabiral, Joey Scott, Leicester Faingaanuku tries, Faingaanuku 3 con, pen) HT: 12-22.