Openside flanker Hayden Cleghorn was in dynamic form and helped the Otago Boys' High School First XV complete the interschool grand slam in Christchurch yesterday.
Otago Boys' completed its sixth interschool win of the season when it edged Christchurch Boys' High School 22-19.
It was the sixth time Otago Boys' had completed the grand slam. The others were in 1989, 1991, 1994, 2001 and 2002.
Otago Boys' also took the Trust Bank Challenge Trophy off Christchurch Boys.' It was introduced for South Island schools in 1994 and is defended by the holder in every interschool game. It was last held by Otago Boys' in 2002.
Cleghorn, who displayed many of the characteristics of former Otago Boys' flanker Richie McCaw, was dynamic at the breakdown and his spot tackling shut down many promising moves by Christchurch Boys'.
Coach Ryan Martin instilled the basics into his team and they proved their ability with a rugged defence in the last 10 minutes when the huge Christchurch Boys' pack attacked the line.
The Otago Boys' win was built on strong tackling.
"They were hard on our line for the last 10 minutes and we kept pushing them back," Martin said.
Christchurch Boys' played with the wind in the first spell and led 12-5 at the break.
But Otago Boys' controlled the game in the second spell with a disciplined display. They kept the ball in hand and tackled like demons.
When fullback Ben Miller joined the line and scored 15 minutes from the end Otago Boys' drew level at 19-19.
Five minutes later, first five-eighth Sam Ellis, who played a steady tactical game, kicked a 45m penalty goal to win the game. He also kicked two conversions in the second spell.
The other tries were scored by centre Sio Tomkinson and wing Josh Casey.
Other standout players were blindside flanker Josh Dickson, who dominated the lineout and was mobile around the paddock, and captain for the day Aleki Morris.
He was dangerous with the ball in hand and was able to break the line, put in some long kicks to the corner and was like a concrete block with his midfield defence.
Otago Boy's First XV
2012 grand slam
v Timaru Boys' won 17-9
v Christ's College won 39-19
v Southland Boys' won 59-7
v Waitaki Boys' won 55-16
v King's won 79-6
v Christchurch Boys' won 22-19
