Honours even at the park

They both came to Lansdowne Park today undefeated – and left the same way.

The Marlborough Boys’ College First XV and their Christchurch Boys’ High School counterparts went into the final pool match in the Miles Toyota premiership rugby competition boasting unbeaten records, undeniably the two form horses in the competition.

The southern visitors sat atop the premiership standings courtesy of notching one more bonus point, but MBC were right behind - both teams already having qualified to host home semifinals.

After a battle royal at Marlborough rugby headquarters the scores were tied 33-33, both teams having secured a bonus point, leaving Boys’ High as top qualifiers for the forthcoming play-offs.

In a topsy-turvy encounter each side scored five tries, four being converted, with neither school able to establish dominance after 70 minutes of entertaining rugby.

As their respective records suggested, there was little between the teams, both clinical in the respective red zones, their sizeable forwards taking control close to the line and keeping the scoreboard ticking over.

The match started as it would end, with tit-for-tat scoring, firstly hooker Jake Gane scoring for the home side from close range, then CBHS hooker Mac Chaplin doing the same for the visitors just a few minutes later.

Midway through the first spell, MBC prop Jordyn Gardiner crashed over, then CBHS No 8 Sione Manu Telefoni levelled the scores at 14-14, before MBC tighthead Mason Nicklin put the home side in front two minutes before the break, also from close range.

Ahead 19-14, MBC went looking to a points buffer but it was their rivals who scored next, Frano Chaplin surging over, then winger Hanroux Wessells nailing his third conversion to give the visitors their first lead of the match.

Three minutes later they were in again, some clever back play down the left flank, then a well-placed kick allowing fullback Cam Jones to score.

A missed conversion left CBHS ahead 26-19, but the home side quickly regained field position, allowing Gardiner to bag his second, before Anru Erasmus’s third conversion levelled the scores.

Again, the southern side came back and after relentless goal line pressure Telefoni bagged his second, Wessells’ conversion giving them a seven-point advantage.

However, this MBC side is made of stern stuff and three minutes later Nicklin powered over for his second try, Erasmus’s conversion glancing in off the post to once again tie the scores.

Both sides had their chances to grab all the points in the final 10 minutes, MBC turning down a penalty opportunity in front of the posts then opting for a long-range attempt that went wide, while the visitors ended the match hot on attack, only some scrambled defence keeping them out.

In retrospect, a draw may have been the appropriate result with neither side able to stamp their imprint on a match which kept the 800-strong crowd on the edge of their seats throughout and was a fine advertisement for rugby at this level.

There were plenty of heroes for the home side, including co-captains Ben Gibbons and Rico Nicklin, who tackled relentlessly. The front-rowers, who scored all the tries, plus locks Ben Campbell and George Adams, carried superbly while the MBC backline as a whole defended stoutly against an accomplished unit. Midfielder Kyan Marcroft was strong with ball in hand.

Boys’ High were also a well-drilled crew, with first five Kaci Heath, halfback Hiro Fuchigami, midfielder Francis Afolaufou and fullback Jones leading them around the field. Loosie Jonty Leary, replacement Vili Finau and Frano Chaplin impressed up front.

As top qualifiers these sides have next week off, before hosting semifinals on August 2.

In next week’s top-six play-offs St Thomas of Canterbury will host Christ’s College while Nelson College will host St Andrew’s.

The winners of the first match will play MBC, the winner of the second will take on CBHS.

Scores: MBC 33 (Mason Nicklin 2, Jordyn Gardiner 2, Jake Gane tries, Anru Erasmus 4 con) CBHS 33 (Mac Chaplin, Sione Telefoni 2, Frano Chaplin, Cam Jones tries, Hanroux Wessells 4 con). HT: 19-15 MBC

Table: CBHS 43, MBC 42, St Thomas 33, Nelson 29, St Andrew's 25, Christ's 25, Shirley 18, Selwyn 13, St Bede's 13, Rangiora 2.

Meanwhile, three games were played in the Marlborough senior A competition.

In the late game at Lansdowne, Park Central accounted for Harlequins 66-17, after leading 52-7 at halftime, while unbeaten leaders Waitohi downed Awatere 29-19.

In the other game, played in Renwick, the home side drew 27-27 with Moutere.

Senior A points: Waitohi 35, Central 28, Renwick 27, Awatere 16, Harlequins 12, Moutere 9, Pelorus 8.