Kennith Tuffin was one of the best preformed athletes in Wellington secondary school sport last year. The head prefect at St. Patrick’s College, Silverstream was a member of the schools’ top athletics, rugby, cricket and basketball teams. The latter purist earned him a scholarship to a leading University in the Philippines. In the summer he was a rep level cricketer.
The Tuffin name will endure for another three years at Silverstream. Younger brother Jono Tuffin has already earned a regular starting place in the First XI cricket team and is in the Under-80A rugby team with his sights firmly set on the First XV in the coming years.
Cricket is the immediate focus and Silverstream is on a roll. On Monday they won the Wellington Twenty/20 title. Earlier in the season they beat Palmerston North BHS in the annual traditional fixture. The win in the Twenty/20 competition was somewhat flawed in that there were only four teams and an under-strength Wellington College side competing. Tuffin insists the win was worthwhile.
“A win is a win and we will take it, you can only beat who is put in front of you. It’s great to get some silverware for the momentum we are building. We beat Palmerston North who went to National’s last year.”
Silverstream’s pathway to Nationals will be tough. Later this year they will have to beat St. Pats Town, HIBS (National Champions) and Hutt Valley HS to qualify for the Wellington final. Tuffin is confident Silverstream has a strong chance.
“The top four and the bottom five are split into two groups. We are in the top group which shows our form is strong.”
Tuffin bats at four. He has a top score of 50 and was a Wellington rep at Intermediate level. His goal is to crack the Wellington Under-17’s.