St Patrick's College (Town) First XV 2026: a resilient season builds towards the derby

St Patrick's College, Wellington, better known as St Pat's Town, have quietly put together one of the more encouraging seasons in the Wellington Premiership so far in 2026. The Kilbirnie side went into the campaign with 19 players back from last year and a clear ambition: chase a first First XV Premiership title since 2015, when future All Black Billy Proctor lined up at centre, as College Sport Wellington noted in its season preview.

A season opener full of heart

Town started with the fixture that means the most to them, the traditional clash with Wellington College. They flew out of the blocks and led 19-5 at the break, ClubRugby.nz reported, before a spirited Wellington College comeback edged the game 31-26. Even in a narrow loss there was plenty to like. "Very proud of my boys; lots of things we need to tidy up," captain Remy Fitisemanu told ClubRugby's Adam Julian.

Bouncing back in style

The response was exactly what the coaches would have wanted. Town strung together three straight wins, capped by a 45-23 victory over a game Wairarapa College in a midweek catch-up at Hataitai Park, ClubRugby.nz reported. It was a forwards' day out, with six of Town's seven tries scored by the pack and Gia Johnston slotting five conversions. By mid-June, ClubRugby had them "comfortably tracking third" on the Premiership table.

There is talent right across the park, too. College Sport Wellington highlighted midfielder Zack Kimmins, described as a New Zealand Under-20 100 and 200 metres sprint champion, as one to watch, adding real pace to a side already built on set-piece power.

The derby that stops the school

All of this builds towards the fixture every St Pat's family circles on the calendar: Town v Stream, the annual meeting with St Patrick's College Silverstream, set down for 22 July. We looked at how both sides were shaping up in an earlier RUGBE preview, and the rivalry only adds spice to Town's run home.

What's ahead

Silverstream, the two-time defending champions, and Wellington College remain the named favourites as the Premiership heads towards its August playoffs. But a resilient, forward-driven St Pat's Town side has shown it can trouble anyone on its day. With the derby to come and finals football on the horizon, there is a lot still to play for in Kilbirnie.

Follow the team on Facebook at St Patrick's College Wellington Rugby and on Instagram at @spcrugbywgtn.