Mission accomplished.
John McGlashan College centre and co captain Josh Timu scooped up a loose pass, beat a couple of defenders and dived across to score the all important fourth try in his side's 24-3 win over the Otago Boys' High School Second XV at Littlebourne on Saturday.
His effort in the final moments of the game meant McGlashan retained its spot at the top of the Otago premier schools competition and will host the final against South Otago High School on Saturday.
''It was hard work. It wasn't easy,'' McGlashan team director Mike Idour said.
''They [Otago Boys'] obviously had a point to prove and in some ways probably have one of the strongest forward packs in the grade _ no question of that.
''But I think we matched them and, certainly, holding them out was a huge bonus.''
McGlashan led 14-0 at halftime thanks to tries from winger Sam Darling and flanker Brett Kingsbury. The ground conditions quickly deteriorated, which made playing running rugby difficult. Otago Boys' pressed its big pack into action but the McGlashan defensive effort was first class.
''They were as relentless with the ball as our defence was,'' Idour said.
Having repelled several promising raids, McGlashan seized its opportunity at the other end, with second five eighth Reece Stackhouse running a nice line to score a third team try.
Otago Boys' replied with a penalty before Timu was able to provide the perfect finish with the last play of the game.
In the other top six games, South Otago High School beat King's High School 46-29 and Dunstan High School beat Waitaki Boys' High School 26-20.
In the bottom section, St Kevin's College thumped Taieri College 51-17 and Kavanagh College beat the Otago Boys' Third XV 38-15.
