Last-gasp try sees MBC down Nelson College

The Marlborough Boys’ College First XV ended their traditional rival Nelson College's unbeaten run in the Miles Toyota Championship in dramatic circumstances this afternoon, winning a thriller 20-17 on the Nelson front field.

Trailing 17-13 with time all but up on the clock, MBC winger Cooper Roberts snatched an intercept and set off.

Nelson College speedster Nic Sauira raced across in cover, but Roberts had too much gas and went in under the sticks to clinch a dramatic victory.

Roberts says he wasn't sure he had the speed when he saw the goal line 80 metres in front of him.

"It was just instinct really," he said.

"I'm speechless right now, the boys put in so much hard work and to get an upset like that is bloody good."

It was a brutal, yet sloppy encounter in round five of the championship, both sides guilty of a number of handling errors.

The hosts suffered an early casualty when prop EJ Ifopo left the field with what appeared to be a dislocated shoulder. However the home side’s pack stepped up and began to assert their dominance, imposing Fijian flanker Netani Baleisomosomo opening the scoring as the sustained pressure proved too much for the visitors. Reegan Lawton converted.

A brilliant chip and chase by home side halfback Thornalley set Nelson hot on attack but the final execution was poor, allowing MBC to take full advantage of the missed opportunity, squaring the leger through a try to hooker Toby McLeod, converted by first five Hugh Robinson.

After the sides came out from the break locked at 7-7, Nelson was dealt another blow early in the second half, with powerhouse No 8 Jacob Neha-Manihera succumbing to a shoulder injury.

Reegan Lawton reclaimed the lead for Nelson with a penalty, but Robinson replied with two of his own to give the visitors a narrow 13-10 advantage.

Baleisomosomo looked to have sealed the win for Nelson as the hulking Fijian monstered his way over for a second but, as the clock ticked down, the opportunist Roberts was waiting to strike and break Nelson hearts.

After a slight juggle, Roberts managed to control the ball and showed huge determination to get to the line.

Scorers:

Marlborough 20 (Toby McLeod, Cooper Roberts tries, Hugh Robinson 2 con, 2 pen) Nelson 17 (Netani Baleisomosomo 2 tries, Reegan Lawton 2 con, pen). HT: 7-7.