TBHS deliver at the death
A superb game from Timaru Boys’ High School first XV captain Cullen Grace helped his side regain the O’Neill Shield off its Waitaki counterparts.
Grace, along with fellow loose forwards Kaleb Hunt-Wheeler and Finlay Joyce, stood out in what was an enthralling encounter.
TBHS two strike weapons, wing Isireli Kawa and fullback Ofa Manuofetoa, also had big games.
The boys supporting in the grandstand chanted ‘‘pass the ball to Kawa’’ as the big winger made metres every time he had the ball.
Two well taken tries in the final 10 minutes sealed the 34-24 win for TBHS after the game was tied 24-24.
The first went to Hunt-Wheeler, who received a timely pass from Grace, after the captain and Kawa both had driven at the line.
The second was a brilliant solo effort from Manuofetoa from his own side of halfway.
Waitaki certainly came to the party in what was an epic interschool battle at Alpine Energy Stadium.
The visitors started strongly, dominating possession and territory and were rewarded with a try to hooker Kafa Katoa.
TBHS came back with an excellent try to first five Thomas Mulligan, who slide through a gap at speed and scored under the posts.
Centre Monty Nixon’s conversion had TBHS up 7-5 against the run of play.
After 20 minutes Waitaki’s big No 8 Maka Mafileo caught TBHS’ defenders napping when he scored from the base of a 5m scrum, with Mason Kinzett converting.
Mulligan closed the gap with a penalty and then TBHS took the lead while Kawa scored out wide after a strong run by the HuntWheeler got Waitaki back pedal- ling and big winger finished well. Mulligan landed an excellent sideline conversion and TBHS were up 17-12.
With halftime almost up Waitaki halfback Kieran McClea was quickest to react when the ball popped out of a maul and he used his speed to dash 50m to score and Kinzett’s conversion put Waitaki in front 19-17.
Early in the second half TBHS got the lead back when Grace made a strong charge at the line and the captain stretched out to score after a good build-up.
Mulligan’s conversion gave them a five point advantage but it disappeared two minutes later, when hooker Katoa charged at TBHS’s usually strong defence and he went through easily.
Both sides threw everything at each other for 15 minutes until TBHS managed the break through.
For TBHS, the pack came back well after being on the back foot early, with front rowers Thomas Edwards and Shane Fikken standing up. Lock Sione Lolohea also tackled well in the first half.
In the backs Mulligan showed some very nice touches but was hampered by a couple of basic errors, while mid fielders Nixon and Brad Cvitanich defended very well.
For Waitaki Mafileo and Vea stood out in the first half, while halfback McClea showed some silky skills. Katoa also had a strong game at hooker.
TBHS coach Gavin Miller said his side put in a pleasing final quarter with the game on the line.
‘‘To come away with a win was excellent after the start Waitaki made.’’
Waitaki captain Josh Hayward congratulated TBHS noting they just wanted the win a bit more.
The exchange is the longest, uninterrupted inter-school rugby duel in New Zealand. Waitaki hold the overall advantage with 68 wins to TBHS’ 55, with 10 draws.