They say defence wins games.
Wakatipu High School certainly proved that and it left them with a very happy coach.
They sealed a 28-22 win over Waitaki Boys’ in Oamaru as the Southern Schools Rugby Championships resumed on Saturday.
It came off the back of a brave defensive effort in the final quarter.
"Very happy," coach John Blair said.
"The boys showed a lot of guts towards the end.
"Our defence in the last 20 was outstanding, defending our own line there, and we held them out."
Wakatipu centre Harry Walker-Leach was outstanding in the midfield — "he’s had a great season, to be fair" — scoring two fine tries.
He was faultless off the tee as well, converting all four of Wakatipu’s tries.
Walker-Leach teamed nicely with second five Angus O’Neill and they were influential in the backs.
Blindside Tama Kopa also stepped up, as did prop Flynn Goddard, who put a "big shift in" and played 70 minutes, Blair said.
Both Wakatipu and Waitaki Boys’ were strong up front, making for an intense battle in an entertaining game.
Waitaki’s big front-rowers showed their strength, lock Lachlan Wright and flanker Ike Newlands-Carter never stopped working, and midfielder Jack Nicol looked dangerous.
In the other division two games, Mount Aspiring held on for a 12-7 win over Otago Boys’ 2nds, and Dunstan ran away
with a 39-10 victory over South Otago.
In division three, Taieri continued their good season as they headed to Riversdale and beat Maruawai/Menzies 25-17, John McGlashan 2nds edged Cromwell 29-24, and Central Southland beat King’s 2nds 53-20.
Otago Boys’ 1sts stuck with Southland Boys’ 1sts for much of the game, before the Southlanders secured a 19-7 victory in the division one feature at Littlebourne.
King’s 1sts thumped Southland Boys’ 2nds 90-0.
John McGlashan 1sts meet St Kevin’s tomorrow night.
