MBC First XV reach final

The Marlborough Boys’ College First XV will play Christchurch Boys’ High School in the Miles Toyota Championship plate final in Christchurch next weekend.

The MBC side earned a spot in the final by beating top qualifier St Thomas of Canterbury 22-10 in Christchurch on Saturday.

MBC trailed 10-7 at halftime, having played into a strong breeze, then turned the screws on their rivals during the second half, tries to No 8 Penisimini Fihaki and winger Nikau Peipi sealing the deal.

Coach Matt MacDougall said his charges gave St Thomas a second half lesson on how to use the conditions to their advantage and "just wanted [the win] more".

He also credited the team with sticking rigidly to their game plan, especially first five Kyren Taumoefolau, whose "kicking game was on point", keeping St Thomas pinned in their own half for all the second spell.

Saturday’s away game will be MBC’s 10th of the season and fourth in a row to Christchurch.

Meanwhile, in other rugby news, the Tasman Mako women’s team continue to battle in the championship section of the Farah Palmer Cup.

On Saturday they went down 80-5 to Hawke’s Bay in Napier. The local side led 40-5 at halftime.

On Saturday, the Mako wind up their campaign with a home game against top-of-the-table Manawatu.