Otago Boys’ High School came from behind to claim another tight win, 21-20 over John McGlashan College, at Littlebourne on Saturday.
McGlashan had taken the lead 20-14, through a brilliant counterattacking try after a poor kick-chase from Otago Boys’.
However, Otago Boys’ worked its way back into the game and
hammered away at the McGlashan line for the majority of the last 15 minutes.
Eventually, standout prop Petelo Amato crashed over.
Oscar Anderson then added the extras to give Otago Boys’ a one-point lead.
There was still time left, though, and John McGlashan was awarded a sideline penalty.
However, that fell short and Otago Boys’ escaped.
Otago Boys’ coach Regan Turoa said McGlashan had the better of the early running.
It led 13-0 after defending well and playing for territory.
Midway through the game, Otago Boys’ captain Semisi Taeiloa Tupou was injected, the No8 having not started as he was carrying an injury.
Turoa felt his introduction had been influential in turning the game and the side clawed ahead at 14-13, before the teams exchanged their final two tries.
The result reinforced how tight this year’s Otago Premier Schools competition is among the top four teams.
It was Otago Boys’ second close win — it beat King’s High School 19-17 — while it also lost to Southland Boys’ High School, which in turn had lost to McGlashan.
In the other premiership matches, Southland Boys’ beat St Kevin’s College 33-11 and King’s High School claimed a big 63-0 win over Dunstan High School.
In the championship, Mount Aspiring College beat Waitaki Boys’ High School 15-10, and South Otago won 57-14 over Wakatipu High School.
