MBC hold off Nelson rivals
The Marlborough Boys’ College First XV survived the sternest test of their season on the Nelson College front field today, showing both resilience and attacking innovation.
The Falcons won their fourth straight Miles Toyota Premiership match 28-26, holding off the defending champions in a see-sawing encounter to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
Initially MBC seemed well in control of proceedings, leading 18-5 at the break after two contrasting touchdowns. The first came in the 12th minute when prop Mason Nicklin finally borrowed over the line from a lineout drive, the second three minutes before halftime from a trick move.
MBC were awarded a penalty in front of the posts and shaped to take a shot at goal. The Nelson defenders turned their backs, allowing the influential midfielder Anru Erasmus to cleverly place kick the ball towards the corner where lock Finn Neal managed to ground it in goal, leaving the local supporters stunned.
Erasmus played a huge part in proceedings, landing two first half penalties and a conversion in the first 35 minutes.
Three minutes after the break he was at it again, his superb solo burst followed by a kick and chase resulting in MBC’s third try.
Fullback Josh Flynn stepped up to land the conversion, pushing the visitors 25-5 ahead, with the game seemingly theirs for the taking.
However Nelson, a side renowned for their resilience and recent pedigree, roared back.
Two close range tries to hooker Jack Potter, both converted by halfback Makea, narrowed the gap to 25-19, the home side’s comeback compounded by a yellow card to Nicklin as MBC conceded a string of penalties.
The visitors worked their way back into Nelson territory, Erasmus landing his third penalty, but were soon under the pump again as Nelson fullback Soper scored out wide, Makea’s wide conversion closing the gap to two points.
The binning of Falcons’ replacement midfielder Kyan Marcroft merely compounded the large group of Marlborough supporters’ anxiety levels.
As the clock wound down Nelson continued to attack, some heroic goal line defence by MBC frustrating them before they were able to clear their lines, force a scrum near halfway then gleefully boot the ball into touch to celebrate what may prove to be a pivotal victory when play-off time comes around.
MBC co-captain Ben Gibbons said after the match he put the win down to “grit and determination”.
“The boys just wanted it more”, he added, “they were putting their bodies on the line and that was what counted in the end.”
Next up for MBC is a match at home against Christ’s College on June 7 with a midday kick-off.
Scores: Marlborough Boys’ College 28 (Mason Nicklin, Anru Erasmus, Finn Neal tries, Erasmus 3 pen, con, Josh Flynn con) Nelson College 26 (Christiaan Botha, Jack Potter 2, Liam Soper tries, Wiremu Makea 3 con). HT: MBC 18-5.