First XV rugby wrap: Auckland Grammar thrash King’s to reclaim Cooper

The compelling manner in which they methodically secured it was almost a throwback to their first 21 victories between 1896 and 1910, when they didn’t concede a point.

On a day of Auckland 1A action where Kelston won by more than 100 points against cellar dwellers Botany Downs Secondary College, Sacred Heart hit 50 points for the fourth time this season, and plucky eighth-placed St Paul’s rolled top-four prospects St Peter’s, Grammar once again underlined their championship credentials with forward superiority and backline creativity.

But for all Grammar’s dominance, there was also much to admire about a rebuilding King’s outfit, who showed the odd spark of brilliance and had the consolation of scoring the day’s best try in a highly entertaining contest.

Late in the matc, King’s blindside flanker Jamie Ludbrook made a galloping 30m break from deep in his own territory down the right and as he was closed down, expertly executed a centring kick for right wing Leo Kirkland to collect and score.

But by then the contest was of mathematical interest only.

King’s starved Grammar of early possession, but when Grammar did finally get the ball, they did so much more with it, with an incisive backline and a muscular pack. Tries to prop Marlee Jacobs, and two to second-five Taye Thomson, soon took them to a 21-6 lead.

In the 25th minute, King’s openside Finn Thompson gave his team hope in determinedly finishing from a tidy lineout move. However, Grammar left wing Tawa Frape went over the corner to seal a 26-13 halftime lead for his team.

Thomson, always dangerous, completed a hat-trick of tries for Grammar early in the second spell, and hard-working blindside Sol Anderson extended the lead eight minutes later.

King’s No 8 Josiah Fifita, one of their best, reduced the margin with a try, but Grammar skipper Connor Murdoch soon dived low and hard in the corner to re-establish a 30-point lead. And replacement Grammar fullback Louie Du Plessis, far too good to be on the bench, came off the pine and soon dotted down in the opposite corner.

For Grammar, hooker Murdoch and No 8 Ashton Kirke were prominent on attack and defence, while Thomson and centre Nico Stanley were dominant in the backline.

But first five-eighths Ethan Halaapiapi, who as a junior played for Old Boys Marist in Whangārei, was Grammar’s most valuable asset. He directed play adroitly and kicked with great accuracy, converting six of Grammar’s eight tries and hitting the post with the other two shots, many from tricky angles.

For King’s, Ludbrook was superb in the loose and almost crafted a second late try from deep with his athleticism.

Grammar arguably also won the battle of the sidelines. It was standing room only at the biggest rugby crowd in Auckland on the weekend and in a more sensible 1A era, this would have been a premium televised match.

King’s pupils featured a placard imploring their team to “Defend the Kingdom”, and dressed in their Edwardian uniforms and cardboard Burger King crowns, were primed for a whopper showing from their team.

But Grammar’s throaty, bare-skinned Augusta Army on the opposite sideline simply had a lot more to cheer about.

On Friday, King’s successfully ran a fundraiser lunch at Okahu, featuring Tamaiti Williams and MC James McOnie, at $250 a head, though in an event promo on the college website unfortunately somehow managed to misspell the names of both.

Auckland Grammar’s biggest wins v King’s College

2000: 58-0

1896: 45-0*

1904: 45-0

1942: 36-0*

1934: 33-0*

1987: 30-0

1986: 28-0*

2026: 52-27

*Denotes winners of 1A championship.

Kelston, coached by Fred Tavita, ran rampant in chalking up a 113-7 home win over Botany Downs, after leading 51-7 at the break. First five-eighths Max Talbot led the way with 29 points from three tries and seven conversions from his trusty left boot before being replaced.

But it might just be quicker to say who didn’t score for Kelston from the starting XV: props Logan Bernard and MJ Delu, lock Maddax Bernard, openside Benji Wichman and wing Hinkley Ioaka.

Thanks to a 15th-minute try to Botany first five-eighths Peter Maiava this (106 points) is not the all-time biggest 1A winning margin. But it’s the best since St Peter’s beat Liston College 109-0 in round six in 2021.

It is, however, Kelston’s biggest 1A win, dwarfing their 99-0 victory over Liston in 2022.

And on the subject of historic overwhelming 1A victories, it’s worth recalling Kelston beat Sacred Heart 86-3 in 1999. This was the culmination of an extraordinary era, where from 1992 to 1999 they won 150 of 166 games, including six 1A and three National Top Four titles and produced 17 future internationals.

Meanwhile, in a contest with three tries apiece, and the difference being a penalty goal to a conversion, St Paul’s College edged out St Peter’s 18-17 at The Cage to secure their first win of the season.

St Paul’s, with a school roll of under 400, often require a degree of cross-pollination with their rugby league brethren to field a First XV squad, so it may have helped that they enjoyed a default win over Te Haikura a Kiwa (formerly James Cook High) in premier rugby league midweek. (Incidentally, St Paul’s now contest a premier rugby league semi-final at home to Manurewa High on Wednesday at 4pm.)

By contrast, St Peter’s may have been feeling the effects of their midweeker against Christchurch’s St Bede’s. (St Bede’s won 31-13 to claim the Peter Watt Brian Dunn Challenge Cup.)

For St Paul’s, there were tries to lock Robert Piutau, centre Daniel Kali and blindside skipper Uli Fisiifeau and a critical penalty to Jayden Veitch-Tamitai.

Third-placed Sacred Heart continue to build, swamping De La Salle 57-10 at home. Early tries to No 8 Ammon Lavea-Lilomaiava, skipper Keanu Simpson and left wing Zion Bidois set the platform, while Simpson went on to notch 22 points in total.

De La Salle did pull it back to 24-10 early in the second spell, but soon faded as they collected two yellow cards. Sacred loosie Ngawai Amoamo, front-rower Paula Tai and Salesi Havili came off the bench for second-half tries, along with halfback Koia Cook.

St Kentigern warmed up for their heavyweight battle with Kelston this Saturday by overcoming seventh-placed Dilworth 28-18 away, after leading 14-3 at the break.

Mt Albert Grammar stayed in the top half of the table by beating Liston College 30-12, with tries to flanker Hawaiki Goodwin, fullback Jarno Andrewes and subs Buster Garner and Rhys Wilkinson.

Auckland 1A draw, Saturday (home team first, all 2.30pm): St Kentigern v Kelston; King’s College v St Paul’s; De La Salle v Liston; Auckland Grammar v St Peter’s; Botany Downs v Dilworth; Sacred Heart v Mt Albert Grammar.

Points: Kelston 30, Auckland Grammar 29, Sacred Heart 26, St Kentigern 25, St Peter’s 18, Mt Albert Grammar 18, Dilworth 9, St Paul’s 8, De La Salle 7, King’s College 6, Liston 4, Botany Downs 4.

Westlake continue their run at the top

It was Groundhog Day in the Kyocera-sponsored North Harbour championship as Westlake Boys’ High won their 15th match in a row, 40-0 over Whangārei Boys’ High at home.

That is a significant score against the team they beat in last year’s grand final, but despite the impressive figures – they’ve now got nine undefeated North Harbour seasons under their belt – there was little occurring that would have had the top Auckland 1A schools sweating.

Westlake have mastered the art of merely doing what is necessary with a minimum of fuss, churning out the wins week by week. So this was not Swan Lake, with just a modest amount of artistry on show.

Westlake briefly got into third gear in the first six minutes, but that was about it. Centre Matt Fleming played a full match but otherwise it was more rest and rotation from Westlake, with dangerous winger Yisrael Tukania among those subbing off early, having only touched the ball four or five times.

The tries came from Fleming (2), skipper Levi Leith (2), flanker Jaxx Latoa-Levi and lock Fergus Mahan.

In a Friday night match Rosmini College beat Massey High 87-0, with first-five Kayden Godbold hitting the often-elusive 30-point mark with two tries and 10 conversions.

Mahurangi College grabbed their third win of the season 25-20 away to Ōrewa College, but only got home thanks to a grandstand finish, with three tries in the final five minutes from subs Blake Tippett and Talan Drinnan and skipper Jackson Gray.

Rangitoto College moved into third place with a 31-14 home win over Takapuna Grammar.

Former Westlake fullback Isaac Murray-Macgregor (2023), has signed with Welsh rugby club the Llanelli Scarlets. The 20-year-old joins from Canterbury and the Crusaders. He was selected for the New Zealand Schools side in 2023, starting against Australia U18s, and was also part of the Westlake team that won the World Schools Festival in Thailand later that year. He is also Welsh-qualified through his mother.

North Harbour draw, Thursday, 5pm (home team first): Massey v Rangitoto. Saturday (home team first, all noon): Takapuna v Whangārei; Mahurangi v Westlake; Rosmini v Ōrewa.

Points: Westlake 40, Rosmini 36, Rangitoto 26, Whangārei 24, Mahurangi 16, Ōrewa 11, Takapuna 9, Massey 2.

Hamilton hit top form in Super 8

Hamilton Boys’ High had a “Fielday” at home to defending Super 8 champions Palmerston North Boys’ High.

On an afternoon when Waikato’s big annual agricultural showcase at Mystery Creek, 12km to the south, was wrapping up, Hamilton Boys’ unleashed a major display of their own, ploughing through the reigning Super 8 champions 43-5 to reap their richest harvest in almost a year.

It was a much-needed result after a nervous seven-point, first-up away win and coach Cam Moorby was delighted to move to the top of the Super 8 table on points differential.

“It was just a great day with good open, running rugby,” Moorby said. “We were thrilled after the frustrations against New Plymouth and a lot of the lads felt they had something to prove.”

Moorby attributed the improved showing and greater consistency to it being the first time in a month his squad had enjoyed an uninterrupted week in the build-up.

In a solid all-round Hamilton showing, pick of the crop were the loose forwards of Tom Foote, Kent Mills and rising Year 11 star, No 8 Isaiah Edwards.

With Max Kara injured in the warm-up, his place on the bench went to Israel Marshall-Moore and he chipped in with the day’s final try.

Another to feature off the bench was Year 11 prop Mitch Matangi, who commutes daily from Kihikihi, and crashed over for a 63rd-minute try.

Earlier there were tries to Foote, lock Malakai Hala, winger Luke Phillips, hooker Hunter Hammond and first five Patience Tuapola. Jackson Botherway added four conversions.

Palmerston North have only won twice in the Super 8 era in Hamilton, 17-8 in the first competition in 1998 and 28-5 in 2000.

Hamilton’s away trek to Rotorua Boys’ High on Saturday should be a cracker.

Rotorua barely held on to retain the Moascar Cup by beating Gisborne Boys’ High 31-26 at home.

Rotorua looked to have the game under control when ahead 31-7, 10 minutes into the second spell, but there was just a try in it for the final five minutes.

Gisborne, yet to win this season, unleashed a late onslaught, running in three tries – including a cracker to second five Tana-Boy Haerewa – to temporarily silence the Rotorua buckets and drums.

Earlier, there were tries to left wing Curtis Frederick, fullback Loky Chapman, hooker Patelisio Tavake and replacement Massey Mills (2) for Rotorua, while centre Senetenari Tusa, wing Rori Fukushima-Hall and Lea’asi Tupou dotted down for Gisborne.

Rotorua have now won 21 of 29 Super 8 matches against Gisborne, with their largest victory 51-0 in 2004. Gisborne last beat Rotorua 31-20 in 2013.

Although this opportunity to regain the cup escaped Gisborne, here’s an interesting footnote for the history-minded. Gisborne’s first win in the Moascar Cup was back in 1980 when they thrashed a formidable St Stephen’s 32-6 at The Rectory and it remains one of the most famous fixtures in the 106-year history of the competition.

The 1980 Gisborne First XV won 20 of 21 games and was captained by Sir Derek Lardelli. The tā moko artist, painter, carver, kapa haka performer, composer, graphic designer, researcher of whakapapa and oral histories, and kaikōrero became a kaumātua of the All Blacks and in 2005 he composed the Kapa O Pango haka.

Meanwhile, Tauranga Boys’ College beat New Plymouth 42-10 after leading 25-5 at the break. And that was despite losing Fijian lock Seremaia Salikoro – an earlier try-scorer – to a 55th-minute red card, after a long discussion between officials.

However, Tauranga were 30-5 ahead by then and shortly afterwards fullback Tommy “Ethereal” McQuoid exploited a gap straight down the middle to put the outcome beyond doubt.

Right wing Nathan Theron impressed in finishing three tries, while others were scored by hooker Matt Bell and first five Fin Curtis.

New Plymouth were already 20-0 down before Bastien Llallemand scored their first try, while their second came late in the piece from a nice move out wide.

Tauranga lead New Plymouth 17-12 in Super 8 matches, with New Plymouth’s last win coming in 2021.

Napier Boys’ High beat Hastings Boys’ High 34-7 and now lead this contest 19-10 in the Super 8 era.

Captain and Hurricanes U18 No 8 Carter Pirie cuts an imposing figure, while halfback Harry Bain and first five Will Lovatt share an influential partnership and each scored tries, with Lovatt also slotting three conversions and a penalty.

By winning their first two games, Napier have already matched their Super 8-win tally from 2025. At 0-3, Hastings are in danger of their first winless campaign since 2012.

Super 8 draw, Thursday, 1.40pm (home team first): New Plymouth v Palmerston North. Saturday, noon: Gisborne v Hastings; Napier v Tauranga; Rotorua v Hamilton.

Points: Hamilton 10, Napier 10, Palmerston North 10, Rotorua 9, Tauranga 6, New Plymouth 6, Gisborne 3, Hastings 2.

Thrillers in the Central North Island

St Paul’s Collegiate (Hamilton), seeking their first Central North Island First XV title since 2021, retained their competition lead with a thrilling 20-17 away win over Francis Douglas Memorial College.

But their margin was cut to a point, with second-placed St Peter’s picking up a bonus point in their 45-21 home win over Matamata College.

St Paul’s led 10-7 at halftime against Francis Douglas, with a try to centre Hadley Thompson the key feature. However, two late tries to standout left wing Matty Goonan gave Francis Douglas a chance of stealing a treasured win, with St Paul’s also having first five Harry Kilmister in the bin at the death.

Earlier, Leyton Birch and halfback Jamie Silich scored second-half tries for St Paul’s, while second five PJ Faogali scored a first-half try for Francis Douglas. St Paul’s have now won their last five matches against Francis Douglas.

Matamata gave St Peter’s a scare when they surged to a 14-point lead in the opening 12 minutes, and even at halftime the match was in the balance, with St Peter’s leading 19-14.

Lindisfarne College retained third place with a tense 48-46 away win over Feilding High in a match that produced 14 tries but also highlighted some defensive frailties.

Feilding enjoyed an early 10-0 lead through a Fomai Viliamu penalty and a try from No 8 Austin Tunnicliffe. But tries to wingers Jay Ladette-Pinfold, and Sam Brittin and then first five-eighths Te Awarangi Puketapu-Pene secured a 24-20 halftime lead for Lindisfarne, which they never relinquished.

It was a significant scalp for Lindisfarne, given Feilding had won their previous six match-ups and their last defeat against the Hastings school came in 2021.

With only about 40% of possession, an obliterated scrum and a barely adequate lineout, Lindisfarne made the most of their opportunities.

Fullback Reid Palmer was the key offensive weapon, while captain and lock Charlie East was influential, particularly with two vital second-half tries.

But Feilding are a big, well-structured team who should probably still be favoured to defend their 2025 title.

Best for Feilding was Tunnicliffe, who was tireless in defence and a disrupter in the lineout.

Other Feilding try-scorers were Taine Anapu-Burke (2), Alifereti Raka, Endre Dickson, Vetaia Kuruyabaki, Tuharakia Wallace-Mcleod and Joe Beazer.

Wesley College endured a tough physical battle with Whanganui Collegiate in front of a boisterous crowd before winning 15-10. Wesley have now won 10 of their 11 matches against Whanganui.

On Wednesday, Feilding beat Francis Douglas 43-21, making it their sixth successive victory in that contest.

Central North Island draw, Saturday (home team first): Wesley v St John’s Hastings; St John’s Hamilton v St Peter’s; Lindisfarne v Francis Douglas; St Paul’s v Feilding.

Points: St Paul’s 27, St Peter’s 26, Lindisfarne 23, Feilding 22, Wesley 18, St John’s Hamilton 14, Francis Douglas 10, Matamata 5, Whanganui 2, St John’s Hastings 0.

Manurewa lead in Counties Manukau

Manurewa High have moved two points clear in the Counties Manukau First XV championship after an 81-8, 13-try demolition of Waiuku College.

Rosehill College were almost as dominant in dismissing Wesley College development 57-7, while Papakura High picked up their second win in defeating Tuakau College-Onewhero 38-14.

Counties-Manukau First XV points: Manurewa 27, Rosehill 25, Pukekohe 25, Waiuku 15, Papakura 11, Wesley Development 5, Tuakau-Onewhero 1.

Silverstream streak ends

The 21-game winning streak of St Patrick’s College, Silverstream, in the Tranzit Coachlines-sponsored Wellington Premiership has ended after they were out-thought by a gutsy Wellington College 26-17.

With four minutes remaining in the 95th annual Ken Gray Cup match in Upper Hutt, Wellington led 23-17, a tenuous advantage given openside Connar “Notorious” Gregor and winger Liam Phelps were in the sin-bin for tackle infractions.

However, Wellington earned a penalty right beside the corner flag on the 22. First five Joe Barry sent a right-foot missile in the direction of the left post that kissed the timber three-quarters of the way up, and tumbled in a favourable direction for the Year 13 player, who wasn’t a starter at the beginning of the season.

Barry joins Stanley Solomon (2021) and Archie Sims (2024) in seizing dramatic moments to settle more recent Silverstream scraps.

Barry’s boot played a large part in the outcome. His variety of contestable, cunning, courageous chips and punts baited a restless Silverstream into a tangle of inaccuracy.

St Patrick’s were caged in their half too often by a defence more smothering than anything they’ve faced in 2026. Wellington second five Taysian Davey-Tiotio was a tackling titan, with more turnovers than Tavatavanawai.

Z’kdeus (Fitz) Schwalger scored the opening try from sustained pressure for Wellington. With their first venture into visiting territory, Silverstream winger Troy Waldrom outpaced three chasers with minimal space. First five Fletcher Cooper nailed a sideline conversion and then did it again from the other side, between a Barry penalty and a slick lineout drive finished by hooker Jahvahn Hunt.

However, Wellington patiently persevered with their stifling tactics and threw chips on the table with a try to winger Tom Hughson, giving them a 15-14 lead at halftime and then another strike in the 52nd minute by Gregor. Schwalger cleverly deflected an errant pass from sprightly halfback Ben Willocks.

Silverstream had scored 210 points in their three previous games, which at times led to an unwise, cavalier attitude.

Wellington were no doubt further motivated by the old gym dressing rooms, an appalling claustrophobic monstrosity grimly nicknamed “Serbia” by old boys (your humble correspondent included) because it was so cold you could breathe out condensation in the afternoon in summer.

The newer Father Peter Blake gym, a stone’s throw away, is worth several million dollars and has plenty of space. It’s probably about time to bury the old “stitch-up” tactic.

“We overplayed our hand in our own territory and made several execution errors we typically wouldn’t,” said Silverstream coach John Herbert. “Credit to Wellington. They were smarter and more clinical.”

Silverstream have made every Premiership final since 2017, winning 91 of 102 games. Their previous longest winning streak was 28 between 2017 and 2018.

Wellington have beaten Silverstream only three times in the last 16 games in all competitions. They won the Ken Gray Trophy, named after the great 60s All Black, for the 35th time. Silverstream have 53 wins and seven draws.

Meanwhile, St Pats Town didn’t have it all their own way in a 60-10 mauling of Mana College. The Porirua outfit was a challenging proposition for the third-placed side for 20 minutes, before the floodgates opened.

Town scored 10 tries, converting half of them. Charlie Carter and Olu Siohane-Hune each bagged a double.

Rathkeale win bragging rights in Wairarapa

Rathkeale College earned bragging rights in Masterton, edging Wairarapa College 17-7.

Early tries by loose forward Brandon Matthews, camouflaging himself against the goal post padding and whitewash, and Jone Raulu trampling over the fullback in an unfair one-on-one, lifted Rathkeale to a comfortable 12-0 lead.

It then became a grind, enlivened by Wairarapa centre Jared Collings with a try from halfway a minute before the interval. It remained tense and scrappy until halfback William Orsborn settled the outcome with a 68th-minute try from close range.

In the summer, Orsborn was the First XI cricket captain and, against Wairarapa, scored a school record 214, becoming the second Rathkeale cricketer to achieve a double century. He also made 184 against Whanganui Collegiate.

Matthews was named man of the match and told Sky Sport afterwards: “Man, that Wai Col team put up a fight; they really took it to us. I’m always trying to impact that breakdown, work rate, tackling, trying to be a pest really.”

Rathkeale retain the NR Stuart Family Cup, donated by a Wairarapa College head boy in 1945 who sent his sons to Rathkeale. Wairarapa lead the overall contest since 1984 by 31-12.

Decadent sideline kai included creamed pāua with fried bread.

In other premiership matches, St Bernard’s College outlasted Rongotai College 22-15 to retain the Jim Ting Memorial Trophy, named after a teacher and rugby stalwart at both schools.

Nate Sivewright was in scorching form on Waterloo Rd, scoring twice. Lachlan Wallis and Mylachai Heve ensured St Bernard’s banked a bonus point. TK Maladina and Aisha Johnson were among Rongotai’s best, and each scored tries.

Scots College blew away Hutt International Boys’ School 45-19, emptying the bench early in the second half and only conceding when that occurred.

Zaiden Filemu (2), Toby McFarlane, Jimmy Favel, Andreas Focas, Joseph Sailo and Elye Matega were try-scorers, with Favel (2) and RJ So’oialo (3) adding conversions. Will Gardiner, Cooper Smith and So’oialo were presented with their caps, which at Scots are awarded to players after 12 appearances.

Scots host Rathkeale on July 25, a fixture most likely to decide fourth place in the premiership.

Tranzit Coachlines Premiership: Wellington College 19, Silverstream 15, Rathkeale 14, St Pat’s Wellington 12, St Bernard’s 12, Scots 10, Hutt International 10, Wairarapa 5, Rongotai 1, Mana 0.

Trophy time for Nelson

Marlborough Boys’ College literally threw away the Whangamoa Trophy on Thursday against Nelson College.

Following two victories against their fierce Tasman rivals in 2025, the error-ridden Falcons gifted Nelson two intercept tries in each half, assisting the visitors to a 35-21 win.

Down 14-7, Nelson winger Isaac Harvey poached an errant pass to double the lead. Then history repeated in the second half, with Marlborough changing the game at 28-14. Silky fullback Liam Soper was in prime position.

Despite several injuries, the visitors started with venom and verve, scoring tries by captain and No 8 Rei Pouri-Lane and prop Coby Davis.

Marlborough lock and skipper George Adams is enjoying a towering season. His nous and reliability in the lineout helped bustling hooker Justin Prescott score twice from drives, but costly inaccuracy lingered elsewhere.

Nelson’s Year 10 second five-eighth Viliami Holani was compelling to watch and proved unstoppable close to the line.

Ravening Rei left the field close to fulltime nursing a finger injury. He’ll be determined to return for Nelson’s defence of the annual Quadrangular title, the 100th anniversary of which will be marked at Whanganui Collegiate.

Meanwhile, the Whangamoa Trophy acknowledges the river that straddles the boundary between Nelson and Marlborough. The trophy was first presented by John Goodman, a colossus in Nelson rugby.

Goodman attended Nelson College between 1951 and 1955, returning in the 1990s to fulfil various roles as correspondence tutor, rugby class mentor, master in charge of rugby and later became an integral part of the Nelson College First XV’s management team.

In 2007, with his son Andrew Goodman, he helped Nelson win their first Miles Toyota Premiership. John was Tasman’s first president, helping to ease tensions in the fractious amalgamation of the Nelson Bays and Marlborough unions. Later, Andrew was part of the Tasman coaching staff who won NPC Premierships in 2019 and 2020, while another son, Chris, presided over the academy. Josh, who won senior titles with the Nelson club as a coach in 1979 and 1981, is a life member of Nelson Bays rugby and also served cricket with distinction. He died in 2017.

Southland’s winning streak continues

Injuries to talismanic talents Finn Hurley, Jack Brock (hand), Jackson Timaloa (head knock), Hunter Newell, Ben Cairns and head boy Mito Faalialia would typically stretch most teams to breaking point.

But not South Island champions Southland Boys’ High, who extended their winning streak to seven matches with victories against Otago Boys (33-10) on Tuesday and Christ’s College (36-14) on Saturday.

The Christ’s match was staged alongside a reunion of the 2006 First XV, and those past players would have been delighted with early tries to flanker Matt Cairns, bamboozling the last defender, and Charlie Byrne catching a cross-kick.

Byrne almost repeated the feat but was denied narrowly short as his teammates took care of business. Hurley scored before leaving injured.

That left the hosts’ defence vulnerable, and hulking centre Hoani Kahukiwa capitalised twice with impactful runs. Despite sustained pressure on defence, Southland remained resolute at 26-14, with Caleb Harvey and Elliot Wilson eventually burning the tiring opposition.

On Tuesday at Littlebourne in Dunedin, Otago Boys’ were dispatched 33-10.

Will Garrick scored two tries, while Cairns and Southland U16 player of the Year Hunter Newell stood out. Before kickoff, former First XV player and Southland Stags representative and coach Scott Eade presented halfback and keen hockey player Charlie Walker with his cap.

Southland have won their last four matches in 14 days. In the interschool series against Otago, which dates back to 1902, they lead 53-45 with 14 draws.

Meanwhile in other matches, Christchurch Boys’ High stayed unbeaten and retained the Trustbank Cup with a 59-7 slaying of King’s High. Canterbury U16 Metro reps Isoa Vosalevu and Phoenix Smith nabbed two tries each.

Late tries to tighthead prop Tioti Barao and winger George Davis helped Timaru Boys’ sink a plucky Shirley Boys’ 31-22.

It was a similar story for St Bede’s College in their 39-27 win against Otago Boys’, with tries from hooker Jack Gunn and captain George Kneebone in the last 10 minutes.

Kneebone’s try came from a rampaging 60m run by Louis Burke, who fended off multiple players. Kneebone added four conversions and two penalties.

Otago hooker Charlie Hore was effective again and scored a customary rolling maul try.

In the standalone Miles Toyota Premiership clash, St Andrew’s College squeezed past St Thomas of Canterbury College 35-28. A late try to replacement prop Zac Hoshek was the telling difference. Earlier St Andrew’s hooker Caleb Collins, an accomplished shot put and discus thrower, scored two tries.

South Island Schools points: Southland 37, Christchurch 30, Timaru 21, St Bede’s 19, Otago 18, Marlborough 16, St Thomas 15, Nelson 15, Shirley 14, King’s 13, Christ’s 11.

Miles Toyota Premiership points: St Andrew’s 20, St Bede’s 19, Christchurch Boys’ 18, St Thomas 10, Timaru 10, Nelson 10, Shirley 10, Marlborough 8, Christ’s College 4.

Bedlam in Balclutha as South Otago win 85-point thriller

In postcard conditions, it was bedlam at the Balclutha Showgrounds as South Otago High School soared to a 43-42 upset over Waitaki Boys’ High School.

South Otago raced to a 36-14 lead before conceding five unanswered tries while all their substitutes were on the field.

Daniel Witt used his dribbling skills to open the scoring after three minutes. Pressed inside their territory, South Otago lock Rylan Walsh forced a turnover and surged 80m. Further tries from incisive centre Max McHaffie and wingers Lamont Tourell and Noah Saro made it 29-7 at the break.

Waitaki’s misery was only compounded after the interval when a 50m break by fullback Rahui Valli created a try for Archie Valli. Kane Williamson “slip hands” from flanker Blake Hyslop saw another try registered.

The Waitaki bench was turbocharged. Powerhouse prop Apisai Tapa’atoutai scored two tries. Starting No 8 Ned Newlands-Carter also scored twice in the late resurgence. Lock Noah Kennedy, an award-winning hospitality and physical education student, and flanker Jared Wallis were sterling for South Otago.

Jedi Stewart was a force of nature for Dunstan High School against John McGlashan College. The No 8 and Otago U16 league rep scored four tries, but his side was still beaten 35-33. Centre Luka Riley, an excellence endorsement in commerce and English, crossed twice.

Wakatipu High overcame St Kevin’s 36-28. Hokonui Colleges thumped Cromwell College 36-5 with a brace of tries to second five Hosea Pasco. Central Southland College pipped Taieri High School 30-27, with Nicholas Hammond collecting a pair.

Southern Schools, Top 6: John McGlashan 20, St Kevin’s 16, Waitaki 11, South Otago 11, Dunstan 3.

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