STARTING IN THE SOUTH
Campbell Burnes previews the venerable and coveted Moascar Cup after the remarkable events of last September.
The Moascar Cup was again on the move in 2023, with four holders from the nine games. But at the start of the season, holder Hamilton BHS seemed to have a vice-like grip on the trophy, repelling challenges from New Plymouth BHS (64-14), Rotorua BHS (40-7), St John’s College, Hamilton (43-14), Hastings BHS (30-15), Gisborne BHS (25-7) and Wesley College (52-5).
However, Hamilton came unstuck in the Chiefs regional final against Tauranga BC (33-26). Tauranga surrendered the Moascar to Westlake BHS (43-40) in the semifinal of the Top 4, with Westlake reclaiming the Moascar for the first time since 1989. Two days later, Southland BHS won it in dramatic style off Westlake (32-29) in the final, via a late Jimmy Taylor goal.
Southland BHS’ first defences of the Moascar come next month in an intense week in which it hosts King’s HS (June 5), Wakatipu HS (June 8) and John Mcglashan College (June 11). Should Jason Dermody’s charges still hold the trophy, they will put it up for grabs in all second round matches, not just home games – a decent gesture.
If Southland BHS still has it after the Southern Schools Rugby Championship regular season, then it goes on the line in the South Island decider with the champion from the Miles Toyota Champs in Crusaderland. Win that, and it’s up in the Top 4.
That’s a lot of water to go under the bridge, but Southland is up for it.
“It’s extra motivation. I think it’s exciting for the southern region to have it down here. Teams can have a crack at it and, if they win it, hopefully it stays in the southern region,” says Dermody.
Technically, Southland BHS is supposed to accept a challenge from outside the region, but, as of the time of print, no fixture was able to be arranged with any First XV from outside the south. King’s College of Auckland did travel south last month for a game, but it was not going to be on the line for a pre-season fixture.