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The St Kevin’s College First XV earned early bragging rights over Waitaki Boys’ High School as they snatched a dramatic last-minute win in the Southern Schools Rugby Championship qualifier competition.
Halfback Tai McLean nailed a penalty with under a minute remaining to power his side to a 29-28 win last weekend.
It was a back-and-forth affair the entire match with both sides matching each other try for try.
St Kevin’s dominated the opening 10 minutes as they held all the ball and were eventually rewarded with a penalty try.
When Waitaki Boys’ finally got their hands on the ball, they were able to apply pressure on the defence with their forwards chipping away with strong carries.
Prop Apisai Tapa’atoutai crashed over from close range get his side on the board.
St Kevin’s snatched back the lead through co-captain Kenton Tokai a few minutes later.
That was short-lived, however, as Waitaki Boys’ tied the game 14-all just before halftime.
No 8 Ned Newlands-Carter broke a a tackle to get in behind the defence and he then drew in the final defender before passing inside to his winger Luke Harraway who dashed away to score under the sticks.
Tapa’atoutai scored his second to open the second half and gave Waitaki Boys’ their first lead of the game.
Just when it looked like they might be asserting dominance, St Kevin’s hit back.
Off a scrum in the Waitaki Boys’ 22m, their backs shifted the ball wide and put winger Elijah Fariu in some space.
He put gassed his defender on the outside and dotted down in the corner to cut the lead to two points.
Waitaki Boys’ lead was extended to nine as Newlands-Carte crashed over but St Kevin’s would not go away.
They scored through Harry Winmill to stay within striking distance.
That laid the platform for the defining moment of the match.
Waitaki Boys’ had a scrum on their own 5m line.
Off that, they carried and then passed the ball back into the pocket for a clearing kick.
However, the chaser was offside, giving St Kevin’s a kickable penalty which McLean calmly banged over to put his side up by one.
With under a minute left on the clock, all St Kevin’s had to do was haul in the kickoff and then put the ball into touch to get the win.
Saturday’s games were the last in the first round of the Southern Schools Rugby Championship (SSRC) qualifier competition.
Despite the loss, Waitaki Boys’ finished on top of pool A with 22 points while St Kevin’s were right behind them on 20 points.
That means both sides qualify for the next round, along with third-placed Dunstan High School. They will play the top three sides from pool B — John McGlashan College, South Otago High School and Wakatipu High School.
The top three teams from those remaining six will earn the right to play in SSRC division one alongside King’s High School, Otago Boys’ High School and Southland Boys’ High School.
St Kevin’s and Waitaki Boys’ will meet each other again later this year in the annual Blood Match fixture.