Te Kura o Tititea Mt Aspiring College (MAC) boys 1st XV conceded five tries in the last 20 minutes of its match against St Kevin’s College (Oamaru), going down 45-21 in Wānaka on Saturday (May 27).

MAC started the game with just 15 players and, with no fresh legs on the substitution bench, the side ran out of steam in the last quarter of the game, unable to match the intensity which had seen them in a winning position.

A strong wind favoured St Kevin’s in the first half, but MAC opened the scoring when prop Ryan Enoka charged over for the opening try. The local side played intelligently into the wind, holding possession for long periods and applying pressure in defence.

St Kevin’s responded late in the half, benefiting from the wind to score two tries and lead 14-7 at halftime.

With the wind at its back MAC looked to have the match under control adding a brace of tries to lead 21-14 with 20 minutes left to play.

However, as the subs rolled for St Kevin’s MAC began to fall off tackles, enabling the talented St Kevin’s outside backs space leading to a late scoring spree.

The MAC front row pairing of Harry Ward (hooker) and Ryan Enoka impressed and open side flanker Will Miller was lively.

In the backline halfback Kalan Nichol displayed an accurate pass and centres Cody Gemmell and Cameron Anderson presented a strong midfield.

MAC will lament the lack of fresh legs off the bench in what was a match they needed to win after a recent loss to Dunstan High School (34-14). The side now sits at the bottom of the Otago Schools Rugby Championship with one win from four matches.

Points:

Tries: Ryan Enoka, Cody Gemmell, Will Miller   

Conversions: Tom Sides (3)

In other matches:

Division 2

Taieri College 10 South Otago HS 7

Otago Boys 2nd XV 26 Dunstan HS 15

Division 1

Southland BHS 60 King’s HS 0

Wakatipu HS 40 Waitaki BHS 24

John McGlashan College 3 Otago BHS 54

PHOTO: Gareth Hodges