The Mount Aspiring College 1st XV boys rugby team (MAC) began their championship campaign in the Otago Schools 1st XV competition with a convincing 43-8 win over Otago Combined on Saturday (1 August).

MAC was relegated from the six team premiership division after finishing fifth and were expected to comfortably account for an Otago Combined side which had yet to register a win in the championship division this season.

The match was played on a heavy ground and MAC took time to adapt to the conditions. Impressive fullback Marcus Heatherington opened the scoring with a try quickly followed by another to wing Zac Smith giving MAC a 12-0 lead midway through the first spell.

Some poor option taking and ill-discipline by MAC saw the Combined side close the gap to 12-8 at halftime with a try and penalty.

MAC looked like a different side in the second half scoring two quick tries through prop Jake Jamison and replacement fullback Tom Roberts. Keeping their composure and structure MAC continued to assert dominance to add three more tries and close out the match in style.

“Our set piece worked really well, and we were dominant through the game,” said MAC head coach Carl Schmack. “The backs used the ball well in difficult conditions and scored some great tries. On the downside our option taking at times was pretty ordinary and we were too loose at

the breakdown which cost us possession and territory.”

For MAC loose forward Darcy Morrison was solid in defense and impressed with his ball carrying. Heatherington and Roberts enjoyed the extra space at fullback impressing with their running games and positional play.

MAC’s next opponent is South Otago High School this Saturday in Cromwell at Anderson Park. Kick off 12.30pm.

Points:

Tries: Marcus Hetherington (2) Tom Roberts, Zac Miller, Zac Smith, Jake Jamison, Darcy Morrison.

Conversions: Ryan Jones (2), Ryan Schmack (2)

Results:

Premiership

Otago BHS 2nd XV 17 Southland 20

King's HS 48 Dunstan HS 0

St Kevin's College 10 Otago BHS 70

Championship

John McGlashan College 55 Waitaki BHS 0

Otago Combined 8 Mt Aspiring College 43

South Otago HS 17 Wakatipu HS 31

Competition Tables:

PHOTOS: Supplied