MBC bow to Nelson rugby rivals

The Marlborough Boys’ College First XV’s unbeaten start to the Miles Toyota premiership campaign came to a shuddering halt on the college front field this afternoon.

The MBC Falcons were up against another unbeaten team, Nelson College, and were expected to test their traditional rivals across the park.

Instead, it was the visitors from over the Whangamoas who ran away with the match 50-0, claiming the coveted Trust Bank Cup in the process.

The home side began in promising fashion, immediately building pressure on the back of an inspirational haka, with hundreds of fellow students at their backs.

However, although MBC pinned Nelson in their own half for 20 minutes they failed to execute, through a combination of gritty Nelson defence and handling errors.

When the visitors managed to work their way into MBC territory it took no time at all for them to strike, pivotal first five Harrison Inch darting over in the corner.

From then it was mainly one-way traffic, lively loosie Kobe Brownlee scoring the first of a brace of tries, then prop Oliver Kirk dotting down before the halftime whistle allowed MBC some time to regroup, trailing 19-0.

However, the second spell could not have begun in worse fashion for the home side, Nelson lock Connor Hulme scoring directly from the kick-off.

Further tries to tight head Samuela Takapu, Brownlee, replacement Hamuera Topia Pene and finally winger Mikey Morrison followed as Nelson took complete control, showing ruthless execution and some sublime skills.

Their coach, Jono Phillips, was pleased with the way his side played, especially their discipline, which saw them concede just three penalties over the 70 minutes.

“It was a big game for us. We spoke [to the team] about the history of games between these two schools, especially the involvement of the late John Goodman,” he said.

“That was a big motivator for the boys today.”

He also acknowledged MBC’s effort, suggesting he had been impressed with their willingness to use the ball in their three matches so far this season.

While Nelson’s display was very much a team effort, a few players stood out. Up front the loose forward trio of Teina Thompson, Brownlee and the imposing Saumaki Saumaki were a constant menace, both on attack and defence.

The halfback pairing of Oliver Gibbons and playmaker Inch controlled proceedings nicely, while the back three of Zyon West, Kaelan Grafton and Morrison were always dangerous, especially on counterattack.

It was a hard day at the office for MBC. In the positive column, their set pieces operated relatively smoothly, and they tackled resolutely, but were generally outclassed by a side who appeared a yard faster, both physically and mentally, all afternoon, taking maximum advantage of any MBC slip-up.

Loosies Finn McKenzie and Ben Gibbons worked hard to swing the momentum back the home side’s way, along with hard-running replacement Mason Nicklin. First five Anru Erasmus showed his evasive skills, while replacement halfback Ben Blackmore demonstrated a smooth pass.

Scorers: Nelson College 50 (Harrison Inch, Kobe Brownlee 2, Oliver Kirk, Connor Hulme, Samuela Takapu, Hamuera Topia Pene, Mikey Morrison tries; Inch 5 con) MBC 0. HT: 19-0.

Next up for MBC is another home game, against St Thomas of Canterbury on June 8. Nelson travel to play Selwyn Combined on the same day.