Junior Rugby Match Report

RUGBY MATCH REPORT

On Tuesday our Year 7&8 rugby team played local highveld school, Balmacewen Intermediate. The altitude didn’t seem to affect our boys as they started earnestly. Juggernaut George Mafi again led from the front with some busting carries and tough tackling. Year 8 Timber Wolf, Zevi Jones, also got into his work as he brought his trademark physicality to the contest. After both teams scored tries in the first half, the match was evenly poised as the teams went into the shed for the halftime break. 

Coaches Ox Eathorne, Chris Burke and newly recruited skills specialist, Mr Hamish Sutherland rang the changes as the bomb squad came off the pine. The fresh legs made an instant impact and were led by man of the match David Hola who had a huge game. Nifty winger, Mounga Moata’ane, played like dynamic All Black back Caleb Clarke and was difficult to defend. Both David and Mounga scored excellent tries and made plenty of tackles. Former St Mary’s Milton pupil, Isaac Jago had a busy game at halfback. The team also featured students from St Mary’s Mosgiel, Charlie Sutherland, Lennox Nitis, Mason Johnson and Miach Kerr, who all contributed well.

As the game moved into the final 10 minutes, the contest was on a knife edge and had an atmosphere at times similar to the cauldron that the All Blacks experienced in Johannesburg last weekend. On their own whenua (turf), Balmacewen defended wave after wave of attack from our valiant team and held on for the win. In two weeks, the team will be travelling to Central Otago to play Cromwell and Mt Aspiring Colleges respectively as the rugby season comes to an end. We wish the boys and coaches the very best for the annual Year 7&8 sports exchange!