Lastditch cup win for OBHS
CALL it a lucky escape for Otago Boys’ High School.
Call it characterbuilding for John McGlashan College.
Call it whatever you like but we nearly had another shared title.
The schools first XV final appeared to be heading for a draw.
In the Otago Premier Schools final at Littlebourne on Saturday afternoon the sides were locked at 17all deep in injury time.
With no provision for extra time, the next stoppage would probably have ended the game and the teams would have had to share the Otago Daily Times Cup.
But there was a late twist. A penalty for a high tackle allowed Otago Boys’ captain and first fiveeighth Tevita Asi to plug the corner.
The home team rumbled infield from the lineout and halfback James Arscott slipped over to score. Moments later he was engulfed in a sea of testosteronefuelled teenage boys.
When the fans cleared, impressive fullback Jake Te Hiwi kicked the conversion to seal the dramatic 2417 win.
McGlashan had an opportunity to win the game. It led 105 at halftime and was ahead 1710 with about 10 minutes remaining.
Otago Boys’ dominated the scrums and had the edge in the lineout and out wide. But the visitors scrambled remarkably well and had the better of the majority of the second spell.
Otago Boys’ coach Regan Turoa felt the fightback said more about the character of his team than the role of Lady Luck.
‘‘I wouldn’t say we got out of jail,’’ he said.
‘‘Patience was the key. We always believed that we would do the job, it was just about getting the ball and keeping it.’’
That patience was absent for long stretches. Otago Boys’ made plenty of errors and conceded too many penalties.
But with the game on the line, the home side found a way to win and that builds confidence.
‘‘When we look at the game as a whole there is a lot we can work on.
‘‘Johnnies really took to us at the breakdown and I give them a lot of credit for that. They got some good turnovers.
‘‘But we know we can finish a game and we can get up when we need to and we did that today.’’
Reuben Wairau had a strong game in the midfield for Otago Boys’. He scored a brilliant firsthalf try when he sliced through, palmed off Jez NicholsonKelly and beat the cover defence to score in the corner.
Asi had a mixed game but scored a vital try and his touchfinder helped set up the matchwinning try, while lock Levi Turoa was outstanding in the lineout and Te Hiwi proved an elusive runner.
McGlashan captain Leroy
Ferguson was ever present at the breakdown and scored the game’s opening try.
Hooker George Bell made some thumping tackles and first fiveeighth Andrew McKenzie was assured.
Had the match ended in a draw it would have been the second shared title in a fort
night. Harbour and University were forced to share the premier club banner when they were locked 3030 after 100 minutes of rugby.
In the championship final at Bishopscourt, Otago Boys’ High School Second XV was too strong for St Kevin’s College, winning 417.