Mt Albert Grammar wins 1st XV 1A cup
Mount Albert Grammar have stamped their mark at the top of Auckland School Rugby competition.
The school won the First XV 1A title (15-13) in an exhilarating final against Sacred Heart College at Eden Park on Saturday.
For a proud sporting school, this ended a six-year drought since last winning the cup in 2010.
And while their opponents’ 51-year hunger for the coveted silverware was desperate, MAGS’ determination was stronger, even if it took 70 minutes of the game to secure it.
MAGS coach Geoff Moon says the intensity of the final shows just how much the competition has grown this year.
‘‘It is really a tough competition and the boys trained really hard, a good 10 months to prepare,’’ he says.
‘‘This year has been really exceptional.
‘‘We played 20 games in the competition and we played against an outstanding team in the final.’’
Moon said the final was predictably tough, both teams giving their all and it was anyone’s game for the whole 80 minutes of play.
‘‘No one was going to back down and no one was giving up. Both teams worked hard.’’
Sacred Heart’s First XV coach Gus Leger says coming second is disappointing.
And while they had expected a tough final, they had hoped to bank on the lessons they learnt from a loss to MAGS earlier in the competition.
Leger adds that despite the loss, they will take a lot of positives from the game.
‘‘The effort the boys displayed in the game was outstanding, they gave their all and as a coach I couldn’t have asked for more. and we thank our fans for all their support throughout our season.’’
MAGS will now face North Harbour champions Westlake Boys High School on August 27.
The winner will advance to the National Top Four competition.