MBC celebrate club day

A comprehensive victory over Christ’s College by their First XV highlighted Marlborough Boys’ College Rugby’s club day today.

The Falcons fielded seven teams, six playing in Marlborough, across a variety of age grades as they celebrated rugby at the college.

Leading the way was the First XV who maintained their unbeaten record in the 2025 Miles Toyota premiership with a 38-5 win over Christ’s on a boggy MBC front field.

The visitors were willing and showed enough in stages to suggest they could have pushed MBC all the way, but ultimately succumbed to a home side who were able to run on a powerful bench after their less experienced starters had stood up and paved the way for a relatively comfortable triumph.

At halftime MBC led 19-5, through tries to hooker Luke Zillwood, midfielder Justin Prescott and skipper Rico Nicklin, one converted by midfielder Anru Erasmus, the other by first five Josh Flynn. They added three more after the break, two more to No8 Nicklin and one to lock Ben Campbell, Flynn converting two. Once again their game was based around forward power, a dominant scrum and well-functioning lineout at the centre of their dominance.

The starting front row of Jordy Gardiner, Zillwood and youngster Brooklyn Mulitalo was impressive, carrying well and attending to their core duties on a day when tight forwards had plenty of less glamorous work to do. Rookie locks Campbell and George Adams stood tall, complementing the work of loosies Finn Neal, who never stopped running, the tough-tackling Tom Robinson and Nicklin.

Hamish Lindstrom reveled in a starting role at halfback, his defense a feature, while Flynn and Erasmus guided the backline well, the latter’s tactical kicking a feature.

Fullback Gavin Holder was outstanding for Christ’s, who were coming off a 10-point defeat in their traditional interschool battle with Christchurch BHS on Tuesday.

In other First XV matches played today St Andrew’s beat Nelson College 24-22, St Thomas beat Rangiora 60-20, Shirley downed Selwyn 29-21 and Christchurch BHS eclipsed St Bede’s 41-0.

Next weekend MBC travel south to take on St Thomas, who currently lead the table. They lost to Nelson College last month, but have played one more match than MBC and CBHS, who remain unbeaten.

Meanwhile, there were three matches played in the Marlborough senior A competition yesterday and today.

Showing they will be the team to beat in 2025, Waitohi accounted for Central 41-19 at Endeavour Park, Picton while Renwick, the defending champs, continued to put pressure on the Tohis, beating Harlequins 30-15 after the Quins had led 15-10 at halftime. On Friday night, under lights in Seddon, Awatere eased past Pelorus 32-5.

In the latest round of premier Tasman Trophy men's rugby, Central’s second round woes continued at the Greenmeadows ground, suffering a 43-39 loss to Stoke, a side they downed 46-17 earlier in the season.

In other results today, Marist eased past Waimea Old Boys 36-31 while Kahurangi beat Nelson 40-36.