Nelson College too good in First XV fixture

The Marlborough Boys’ College First XV were outclassed by a well-drilled Nelson College side in their annual interschool rugby clash this afternoon.

Playing on the recently-upgraded Nelson College front field, the home side were too strong in most facets of the game, prevailing 33-7 in a match which doubled as a Miles Toyota premiership encounter.

Nelson led 19-0 at the break, two of their three tries coming on the back of unstoppable driving lineout mauls, one travelling around 40m.

They put the game to bed early in the second spell, adding two more tries within minutes of each other, close-range efforts after periods of intense pressure. Both were converted to push Nelson out to a 33-0 lead, allowing them to empty their benches.

MBC followed suit and enjoyed their best period of the match, establishing and maintaining field position, from which they scored a late consolation try to first five Hugh Robinson, which he converted to make the final score more palatable for the Falcons and their travelling supporters.

Nelson’s win maintains their unbeaten record and keeps them on top of the premiership standings.

Leading the way for the victors was flanker Dane Leppien, fellow loosie Saumaki Saumaki, tighthead prop Sione Mafi, halfback Oliver Gibbons, first five Harrison Inch and winger Callum Robertson.

MBC, while well beaten on the scoreboard, left the field with heads high after battling until the final whistle and owning the final period of play.

They tackled ferociously in close, but were unable to cope with the more-structured set piece work of their rivals, who regularly made ground at both scrum and lineout time.

Loosies Jack Burdon, Ben Gibbons and Rico Nicklin got through a power of work for MBC, while locks Luke Martella and Toby McLay-Davis gave their all.

Outside backs Tim Petrie, Leo Marfell and Carter Aitken impressed when able to get their hands on the smattering of clean ball that came their way.

MBC coach Tonga Taumoefolau said he was happy with his side’s defensive efforts.

“They got into our 22 four times in the first half and built multiple phases but our guys stood up well. They scored two tries through their mauls so we were reasonably happy going into halftime but the two soft tries straight after the break prompted us to make some changes.

“We changed our whole front row so they could have a taste of our traditional fixture and they did well. I was really happy with the impact of all seven bench players who came on.

“The last 20 minutes were satisfying … the boys never gave up, showing that real Falcons’ attitude of fighting to the end.

“But hats off to a well-structured Nelson side, they were outstanding today, especially on defense.”

Nelson College coach Jono Phillips was happy with how well his team started, saying they wanted to match MBC physically in the early stages.

“We expected them to be really physical, they always are. We matched that in the first 15 minutes and we couldn’t really score, but there was a lot of pressure.

“Overall, I’m really excited for another five points.”

MBC have the weekend off then travel south to play St Thomas of Canterbury on June 10.

Scores: Nelson College 33 (Dane Leppien, Teina Thompson, Callum Robertson, Sione Mafi, Oliver Gibbons tries, Zyon Ford four con) MBC 7 (Hugh Robinson try, con). HT: 19-0