They registered their best win of the season when they beat St Kevin’s 59-5 in the Southern Schools Rugby Championship in Dunedin on Saturday.
McGlashan elected against joining the ‘‘big dogs’’ in the breakaway South Island Boys’ Schools competition.
That looked like a good call when they suffered a shock 19-17 loss to Central Southland College in Winton in the opening SSRC round.
But coach Kilifi Fangupo said the team had been rebuilding and cast off the shackles against St Kevin’s.
The plan was to keep it nice and tight in the wet conditions. That plan went out the door straight away.
‘‘The boys were steaming ahead from the kick-off and moved the ball around,’’ Fangupo said.
‘‘It felt like they were playing in dry conditions. But yeah, we’re happy with the result.’’
They were up 38-0 at halftime and kept the pressure on.
Elusive winger Yoko Fujii scooted in for three tries. He is a slippery customer — runs like a rocket and is seemingly covered in soap.
First five and captain Zac Cunningham was another standout for McGlashan. He directed traffic superbly and knocked over six conversions.
‘‘He just kicked the ball deep and let them make mistakes. Then we were playing rugby in their half. I thought he controlled it pretty well.’’
Lock James Kinney had a huge shift. He carried the ball into contact with some real intent, tackled hard and took care of business in the lineout.
Central Southland College recorded an easy 40-5 win over Mount Aspiring in Winton, but the other three games were close.
Taieri College edged Hokonui Colleges 26-20 in Mosgiel, South Otago beat Dunstan 20-19 in Alexandra, and Wakatipu and Waitaki Boys’ had a 19-19 draw in Queenstown.
In the South Island Boys’ Schools competition, Southland Boys’ dismantled St Thomas of Canterbury 41-0 in Invercargill and lead the standings.
King’s were beaten 39-31 by St Bede’s in Christchurch, while Otago Boys’ will play Timaru Boys’ in Timaru tomorrow.
