Wakatipu just misses out for second time

Pipped again.

Wakatipu High School has had a tough introduction to the Otago premier school competition.

The tournament new entrant suffered heartbreak midweek when rival Mt Aspiring College scored a late try to snatch a dramatic 24-22 win.

With the muddy boots barely dry from that encounter, Wakatipu headed north to Oamaru where more disappointment awaited in the form of a 26-22 defeat by St Kevin's College.

Coach Jim Gilbert felt his side ran out of energy in the second half and that proved costly.

"It is hard to put it into words, to be honest," he said.

"Basically, we created enough opportunities in the first half to take the game. We just didn't get enough points in the first half."

St Kevin's led 14-10 at the break. It had busted through in the middle to score a couple of tries.

It dominated the second spell, despite not being able to stretch the final margin.

"We created a lot of space on the edges that we just didn't recognise that quickly enough to execute.

"And they had a really good power game up the middle which they converted into a couple of tries, and they landed their kicks, obviously.

"But I think our boys struggled with fatigue after the mid-week game.

"We just weren't able to get back on top. St Kevin's had a really strong second half.

"It was another even contest but another one where we will go we could have. But I guess it is a pretty good lesson for the boys."

In the other games, John McGlashan College swatted aside South Otago High School 57-7 in Balclutha.

Dunstan High School recovered from a big loss to Otago Boys' High First XV with a comprehensive 62-0 win against the Combined Co-Eds.

Southland Boys' High School was too classy for Mount Aspiring College, winning 50-12 in Wanaka, while Otago Boys' High School Second XV beat Waitaki Boys' High School 24-12 at Littlebourne.

Otago Boys' High School First XV will host King's High School on Tuesday in an interschool match which doubles as an Otago premier schools game.

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