The Mount Aspiring College (MAC) boys 1st XV was unable to capitalise on a wealth of possession in their Otago Secondary Schools division 2 clash against Wakatipu College on Saturday (July 23), going down 18-12 in Queenstown.

Both sides were unbeaten going into the match and looking to consolidate a position on top of the division 2 ladder.

“We had one of those days where things didn’t fall our way,” MAC coach Craig Read said.

“We will need to look at how we finish when we have the ascendancy to convert pressure into points.”

MAC made a good start to the game, winning the territorial battle and carrying strongly before a spilled ball created an opportunity for Wakatipu to score its first try.

A second error saw MAC trailing 10-0 before the team’s territorial dominance was rewarded with a try to wing Henry Allison.

The momentum was short lived when an error from MAC at the restart gifted Wakatipu its third try right on halftime to make the score 15-5 at the break.

The second half was hotly contested with both sides attacking and defending well.

MAC managed to break down a dogged Wakatipu defense when impressive loose forward Otis Harry scored. The conversion reduced the deficit to just three points.

Despite several opportunities near the Wakatipu line MAC was unable to score and a Wakatipu penalty closed out the match.

The MAC loose forward trio of Otis Harry, Will Collins and George Lister combined well and back Ben Simmers had another strong performance.

Mount Aspiring College is now second in division 2 and will travel to Balclutha this Saturday (July 30) to play South Otago High School.

MAC points:

Tries: Henry Allison, Otis Harry

Conversions: Cullen Meyer

Other matches:

Division 2

South Otago 20 St Kevin’s 19

Division 1

King’s HS 29 Dunstan HS 3

John McGlashan College 10 Southland BHS 3

Otago BHS 57 Waitaki BHS 5

PHOTO: Supplied