John McGlashan holds off spirited challenge from King’s

JOHN McGlashan is in sight of a fairytale finish to a wonderful season.

It might have to play a heck of a lot better in the final, though.

Johnnies had to dig deep to withstand a wonderful challenge from King’s before winning the Otago Schools Rugby Championship semifinal 2215 in Dunedin on Saturday.

That means a date at Forsyth Barr Stadium in the ODT Cup final this weekend against Southland Boys’, which built a big early lead before cruising to a 2719 win over Otago Boys’ in the other semifinal in Invercargill.

McGlashan has been the story of the season with its talented squad and a long unbeaten streak.

In the first 20 minutes of Saturday’s semifinal, however, the story was King’s.

The gutsy lads from South Dunedin hoed into their work with gusto and accuracy and made McGlashan look quite ordinary at times.

With Tom Lewis and Orlando TuhegaVaitupu leading a relentless pack, King’s led 80 after 25 minutes, the try made possible by the forwards but scored by winger Joel Cook after a glorious pass from his inside man.

Johnnies looked a tad rattled, and their vaunted backline was missing in action.

But schoolboy rugby can change like the breeze, and McGlashan’s superior physicality contributed to backtoback tries before the break.

An effective lineout drive propelled Keegan Ferguson over the line, and some quick hands created space for winger Sam Cottier out wide.

McGlashan then had to show its defensive steel when King’s again started the second half with vigour.

When King’s dropped off the pace, replacement hooker Tom Fowler scored from another lineout drive, and Max Hore and Liam Barron added some points off the boot.

The home side was out to 228 and the game seemed done. What was that about a breeze? Jack Timu was sent to the bin, King’s scored through lock Kalani Vanisi, and the McGlashan fans had some nervous moments as their team held on to win in far from convincing fashion.

Locks Mitch Morton and Zack CleaverDonovan were exceptional for McGlashan, while hooker Ferguson was another to shine.

King’s fullback Sam NemecVial was the best player on the park, and Pledger had a couple of chances to show his class.

It was three tries apiece in Invercargill, but Mika Muliaina proved the difference for Southland Boys’ with his three conversions and two penalties.

Jordan Dale, Casey Brown and Petelo Amato scored the tries for Otago Boys’, which trailed 277 before at least finishing strongly.

The secondtier Ritchies Cup final will be between Waitaki Boys’ and Dunstan.

Waitaki beat Mt Aspiring 3129, and Dunstan beat Wakatipu 2117.

St Kevin’s will play Otago Boys’ 2nds in the bottom four final.