Dunstan underdogs rally for upset against Otago Boys’

Dunstan scored a late try to pull off a stunning 22-19 upset against Otago Boys’ at Littlebourne on Saturday.

Coach Graham Johnson believes it is the first time Dunstan has beaten Otago Boys’ in Dunedin.

They last beat Otago Boys’ in 2010.

That was in Alexandra and they prevailed 9-8.

Saturday’s division 1 Southern School Rugby Championship fixture was just as tense.

Otago Boys’ scored two converted tries to lead 14-0.

They dominated the first quarter of the game.

But Dunstan rallied and went into the break on level terms.

Otago Boys’ wrestled back control of the game with a third try.

The visitors replied with a penalty but found themselves pinned down in their half and unable to get in a position to press for the win.

"We were under the pump, I suppose," Johnson said.

"We were in our own 22 and our own half of 22 for probably about the last 10 minutes or so."

They held them out and then made their way down the
other end.

Dunstan bashed the ball forwards and then flung it wide in the dying moments of the game.

Winger Finn Donnelly crossed in the corner to seal the win in the last play of the game.

"It was a huge forward effort, really.

"[Blindside] Jack Cinnamon was pretty dominant all day.

"Our front row was, well, I think we won three scrum penalties in the second half.

"Props Cody Robinson and Jake McGinnis played the full 70 minutes and were sort of dominant.

"But it’s hard to single people out because it was really just a good team effort based around heaps of courage and good defence."

In the other division 1 games, King’s clobbered John McGlashan 63-7 on their home turf and they lead the competition standings following two comfortable wins to kick-start their season.

Southland Boys’ 1st recorded a 48-17 win against the 2nd XV, also unbeaten in division 1.

In the Maroon Pool, King’s 2nd cruised to a 54-12 away win against Cromwell, Wakatipu thumped Taieri 84-10 in Queenstown and Otago Boys’ 2nds edged Mt Aspiring 15-5 in Wānaka.

There were a couple of one-sided fixtures in the Blue Pool as well.

Central Southland powered to a 74-5 win against John McGlashan 2nds at home, St Kevin’s was too strong for Maruawai/Menzies, winning 81-15 in Oamaru.

And Waitaki Boys’ defeat South Otago 33-17 in Oamaru.

adrian.seconi@odt.co.nz

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