It did not look promising for Otago Boys' in the 150th anniversary game at Littlebourne, after Christ's dominated the first half and led 16-3.
Talented first five-eighth Damian McKenzie, the best player on the paddock, had dictated the game and scored all the points for the Christchurch school.
The telling moment in the first half came when McKenzie scored a brilliant solo try in the corner after an angled 35m run down the short side.
It took a stirring halftime talk by coach Ryan Martin to make Otago Boys' believe it could come back and win the game.
Otago Boys' had the advantage of a strong northeast wind in the second spell. The pack blasted back into the game and dominated the half.
Captain and hooker Sekonaia Pole led with his driving play and was backed by tighthead prop Jermaine Ainsley. Lock George Latta dominated the lineout and was aggressive with the ball in hand, and No 8 Tui Katoa broke the advantage line.
The best back was second five-eighth Sio Tomkinson, who took control in the second half as Otago Boys' concentrated on field position. He also landed five goals from his five attempts.
The Otago Boys' revival was spurred on by the large crowd of old boys attending the school's 150th anniversary celebrations.
It was the 127th game between the two schools, which first met in 1883. Otago Boys' has won 68, Christ's has won 53 and six games have been drawn.
It is the oldest secondary schools rugby match held annually in the southern hemisphere. It has not been continuous, with breaks due to war and the flu epidemic. The longest unbroken interschool contest is that between Waitaki Boys' and Timaru Boys'.
In the Highlanders First XV competition, King's High School beat Dunstan High School 15-12 in Dunedin.
Waitaki Boys' scored four tries when it beat South Otago 32-25 in Oamaru. Waitaki, which led 17-8 at the break, was dominant in the forwards, where flanker Jake Greenslade and prop Michael Lolo played aggressively. A late penalty goal by fullback Matt Munro clinched the game.
Southland Boys' had a big 50-0 win over John McGlashan in the other top-eight game in Invercargill.
In the key game in the bottom section of the competition, St Kevin's and Gore drew 13-13. St Peter's beat Mt Aspiring College 33-15, and James Hargest beat Verdon College 12-10.
First XV interschool
The scores
Otago Boys' High School 19
Jonah Aoina try; Sio Tomkinson con, 4 pen
Christ's College 16
Damian McKenzie try; McKenzie con, 3 pen
Halftime: Christ's 16-3
