JMC prevails over King’s in nailbiter

King’s High School First XV second five-eighth Giovanni Leituala is  caught by John McGlashan...
King’s High School First XV second five-eighth Giovanni Leituala is caught by John McGlashan College fullback Nico Bowering during an Otago premier schools game at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday. Photo: Peter McIntosh
It is hard not to look at the score from the Otago Boys’ High School First XV game and think the rest of the teams are playing for second.

Otago Boys’ dispatched South Otago High School 87-5 at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday and shapes as firm favourite to win the Otago premier school tournament in its first season back following a three-year absence.

But last year’s finalist showed it knows how to play the game as well. John McGlashan College reversed the result this time, beating King’s High First XV 15-13 in a thriller.

Coach Matt Direen was impressed with the way his side rallied in the second half.

"Our boys certainly turned it around at halftime in terms of control and looking after the ball," Direen said.

"[The game] was up for grabs right throughout. I wouldn’t say we had ascendancy at all. I think a draw would have been a fair result.

"But I’m just happy with the way they turned around from being down. It would have been easy for them to drop their bundle."

King’s led 10-8 and stretched its lead to 13-8 through a penalty.But with a minute left, McGlashan scored through replacement hooker Jack Newlands.

McGlashan had been pounding away before Newlands ran a smart line and got across in the corner to level the score.

First five-eighth Andrew McKenzie was left with a tough conversion to seal the win. It was 5m in from touch but he drilled it.

Hooker George Bell was a standout until he injured his ankle midway through the second spell.

Second five-eighth Josh Stackhouse also shone. He tackled well and found some space in what was a tight game.

Waitaki Boys’ High School has made an impressive start with a 20-10 win against Otago Boys’ Second XV. Waitaki’s defence and scrum were excellent. Prop Tonga Malafu led the way. His opposite, Hillary Takau, carried the ball strongly.

In the other games, Kavanagh College beat King’s Second XV 20-17 at Kettle Park and St Kevin’s College beat Taieri College 56-34 in a high-scoring encounter in Oamaru.

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