The Mount Aspiring College (MAC) boys 1st XV rugby side suffered a 50-12 defeat against Otago Boys High School (OBHS) 2nd XV in the opening round of the Otago Schools Rugby Championship on Saturday (May 6).

Despite travelling from Dunedin to Wānaka for the match OBHS started with intensity and, aided by the breeze, scored four tries in the first 20 minutes.

MAC rallied from the initial onslaught preventing any further points, going into the halftime break down 24-0.

A rejuvenated home side started the second half with purpose and was rewarded with a good team try to halfback Kalan Nichol which was converted by first-five Tom Sides.

Any thoughts of a fightback were quickly shut down with OBHS’s strong running proving too much for a dogged MAC defence. The visitors added three further tries before MAC scored late in the match through prop Will Miller, only to concede a try on the final whistle.

MAC has a number of new players this year from the side which finished second in the championship division last year. Coach Gareth Howley has returned and his experience along with Wayne Enoka will be invaluable as they develop a new side.

This Saturday (May 13) MAC travels to Taieri to play Taieri College.

Points:

Tries: Kalan Nichol, Will Miller

Conversion: Tom Sides

In other matches:

Division 2

Dunstan HS 41-0 Taieri College

St Kevin’s College 10-44 South Otago HS

Division 1 

Otago BHS 57-7 Waitaki BHS

Kings HS 36-0 Wakatipu HS

John McGlashan 14-42 Southland BHS

PHOTO: Supplied