TBHS will be tough for MBC

For Marlborough Boys’ College First XV the equation is simple if they hope top make the top four in the University of Canterbury rugby championship, they must win their final two games.

Even then Marlborough Boys’ will need other results to go their way.

Last Saturday, with their season well and truly on the line, they beat Burnside 20-17 but will again need to produce a top performance to topple Timaru Boys’ High School in Timaru.

They then face St Bede’s College in their final game in Blenheim.

Marlborough Boys’ sit sixth on the table and TBHS are seventh on a congested mid table but a win will advance either school further up as those around them face each other or tougher opposition.

Christ’s College and Christchurch Boys’ High School are the only two certainties to make the semis.

Head coach Gray Cornelius said to win it would be important to show the same characteristics they did against Burnside.

‘‘Defence and discipline are the keys, as well as keeping up our standards at ruck time.’’

Cornelius said he knew a little bit about TBHS but their focus was on ‘‘getting our own things right’’.

‘‘It will be important that our forward pack fronts up as our set pieces have been very good for us.’’

Prop Quinn Harrison-Jones and hooker Sam Moli have been keys to that and both deserved their spots in the Crusaders Junior Knights team along with halfback Jack Shadbolt,

Cornelius said at the start of the season their aspirations were to finish higher up.

‘‘There have been two draws, a 1-point loss and couple of losses where we should have won.’’

TBHS coach Gavin Miller is wary of the challenge Marlborough Boys’ bring but was also keen for a strong finish to the round robin.

‘‘We realise Marlborough are strong up front and that will be a challenge, but we will be playing to our usual game plan.’’ . The game kicks off at midday at School Park, in Timaru.