Falcons floored by St Bede's
MBC first five Thomas Heagney slides a kick through the St Bede's defensive line at Lansdowne Park today. Midfielder Justin Prescott follows up. Photos Peter Jones.
A second half onslaught from St Bede’s College proved too much for the Marlborough Boys’ College First XV at Lansdowne Park today.
The match, part of the traditional winter sports exchange, also doubled as a Miles Toyota Premiership and South Island Boys’ Schools clash. It was taken out 46-21 by the visitors, who racked up 22 unanswered points in the second spell.
It all began so well for the Falcons who were on the board minutes after kick-off, hard-charging skipper George Adams barreling over close to the posts, with young first five Thomas Heagney adding the conversion.
However, as has been the case in recent clashes, the opposition were next on the board, scoring twice in the next 10 minutes to move ahead 12-7.
Then it was MBC’s turn. Winger Kymani Tikotikoca-Lal touching down in the corner after a clever grubber kick through from Heagney, who converted to push the Falcons ahead 14-12.
Cleverly guided around the park by first five George Kneebone, St Bede’s quickly established field position, then scored from a lineout drive to reclaim the lead.
The game’s topsy-turvy nature continued, powerful MBC number eight Makalio Ligaliga scoring his side’s third to put them back in front 21-17, 10 minutes before the break.
With MBC muscling up on defence, led by hooker Kaue Da Silva, flanker Tyler Mulitalo, locks Kade Timms and Adams, plus Justin Prescott and Vilikesa Nawaqavonovono out wider, it seemed they would take a lead into oranges, but St Bede’s had other ideas, Kneebone slicing through for the first of his two tries.
Trailing 24-21, MBC needed to establish early dominance after halftime but it was the visitors who took a firm hold on proceedings.
MBC still tackled willingly, but too often cracks appeared in the defensive line which the strong visiting ball-carriers took advantage of to add a further four tries and effectively shut the Falcons out of the contest.
St Bede’s are unbeaten in the Miles Toyota premiership and have lost just once, to Southland, in the SIBS competition.
MBC, who were missing a couple of influential players today, have time to lick their wounds before finishing the round robin stages against Timaru, in Timaru, on July 25.