A try on fulltime by South Otago High School saw the team defeat the Mount Aspiring College (MAC) boys 1st XV 31-28 in Wanaka on Saturday (July 25).

MAC and South Otago were the two sides promoted to the premiership division of the Otago Premier Schools rugby competition and the match was expected to be a close contest after just four points separated the sides earlier in the season (when South Otago won 23-19).

MAC started the match well and was rewarded when impressive second-five Lachy Moore carved his way to the line to score the opening try after 15 minutes. A successful conversion by fullback Cullen Meyer saw MAC carry a 7-0 lead midway through the half when South Otago responded with an unconverted try using its big ball runners to good effect.

MAC led 7-5 at halftime.

MAC’s forward pack struggled to contain their larger opponents in the second half, a task made more difficult after the loss of key forward Harry Gillespie to injury.

South Otago used its advantage well, scoring two tries to take a commanding 19-7 lead midway through the second half.

The sides then exchanged tries as MAC looked to play a more expansive game. Trailing 14-24, MAC used width to avoid the combative South Otago forward pack and found space out wide for wing Ewan Hughes to score in the corner. The conversion closed the gap to 21-24.

MAC first-five Rory Read took advantage of a tiring South Otago pack to skip through some weak defence and scamper the length of the field to put MAC in front with just minutes left to play.

However MAC could not hold on and the South Otago forwards found the energy to score in the last minute.

With one round remaining in the premiership, MAC sits at the bottom of the ladder and will host the formidable Southland Boys High School this Saturday, kick off 12.45pm at Mount Aspiring College.

Points scorers:

Tries: Lachy Moore, Thomas Evans, Ewan Hughes, Rory Read

Conversions: Cullen Meyer (4)

Other matches:

Competition Table:

PHOTO: Supplied