MBC First XV go down fighting

The Marlborough Boys’ College First XV’s rugby season is over after a tough loss to old foe Nelson College today.

The 32-10 Miles Toyota Premiership semi-final loss in Nelson was heartbreaking for the players, many of whom were in tears at full time but with many of the squad still only year 12, the future is bright for the region’s top schoolboy team.

Marlborough’s coach Tonga Taumoefolau says his players went to Nelson with the firm belief they could win the game.

“We couldn't, but the next best thing was the performance, and we did what we wanted to do. We stopped them having territory, and once we sorted that out in the second half, we spent the majority in the time at their end of the field.”

Nelson dominated the first half, pinning the visitors into their own 22 and took a 22-5 lead into the half time break. And when Marlborough lost its talented captain Ben Gibbons to a head knock in the first half it seemed the hosts had an opportunity to run away with the game.

But Marlborough turned the tables on their more experienced opponents in the second spell, starving Nelson of possession and territory. Unfortunately Marlborough weren’t able to take advantage of their hard work, a misfiring line-out let Nelson off the hook deep inside its own 22 on four different occasions.

Tonga says Nelson are an “outstanding team”, so he was immensely proud of his players.

“Right now it’s about acknowledging that Nelson are a great side and we wish them all the best for next weekend but we are a young side, our whole forward pack will be back next year.”

Scores: Nelson 32 (tries; Kaelan Grafton, Samuela Takapu, Jimmy West, Kobe Brownlee, Harry Inch, Zyon Ford. Cons; Inch 1 from 6)

Marlborough Boys’ College 10 (tries; Mason Nicklin, Luke Zillwood. Cons; Leo Marfell 0 from 2).

Nelson will meet Christchurch Boys' High School in the final, after they downed Christ's College 24-15 in Christchurch today.

St Thomas and St Bede's will contest the plate final.