It was quality over quantity in the Citizens Shield at the weekend.
With two games being played last Thursday night to allow players to go duck-shooting, Old Boys and Athletic Marist collided in the only game played on Saturday.
It did not disappoint, either, as Old Boys got their first win of the season in a physical, high-scoring battle, beating Athies 46-37.
Old Boys had a horror start, however, as Athies scored two quick tries, the second of which came from a charged-down kick, to jump out to a 14-0 lead.
Shrugging off the slow start, Old Boys clawed their way back and a try to captain Kelepi Funaki just before halftime had them in front 24-20.
They were in again just after the break as Athies’ poor discipline meant Old Boys could chew off easy metres by kicking to touch.
Their lead was extended again as they pulled off one of the best tries of the season.
After Old Boys conceded a penalty, Athies took the quick tap and were off running.
As they tried to shift it wide, Mavaetangi Finau intercepted it, galloping off to the other end.
He found Inoke Fisilau on his outside. Fisilau was tackled but, just as he was heading into touch, he flicked it back inside to Finau, who scored his second try of the game.
Athies had to score next and they did, recovering the ball straight from the kick-off, eventually leading to Paea Fifita crashing over.
Fisilau and Hateni Tafolo traded penalties to set up an exciting final 10 minutes, with Old Boys holding an 11-point lead.
Any hopes of an Athies comeback win were dashed when a quick throw-in went awry and was scooped up by Harrison Campbell to score.
A late consolation try to Fifita did little else but reduce the deficit slightly.
Fisilau and halfback Tini Feke starred for Old Boys, while Funaki anchored a dominant scrum throughout the game.
In the games played on Thursday night, Excelsior remained unbeaten and Valley came out on top of a country clash.
For the second straight week, Blues needed a big second-half comeback to keep their win streak alive, this time against Maheno.
A Robbie Smith try just before halftime had the country side in front 15-12 at the break.
Unfortunately for Maheno, that was the last time they scored.
Blues ran in 26 unanswered points to run away with the game 38-15.
It was the second straight game that Blues blanked their opponent in the second 40.
In Kurow, scoring was the name of the game as Valley and the Red Devils ran in a combined 10 tries.
Holding a two-point lead at halftime, Valley ran in two tries to start the second 40 that put them in the driver’s seat.
Each side traded tries in the final quarter as Valley got their second straight win, 40-24, while Kurow remain winless.
