King's played St Peter's college on the weekend
King’s College 25 – 38 St Peter’s College
Despite scoring three unanswered tries inside the final 10 minutes, the First XV went down 25-38 to St Peter’s College in their 1A fixture at King’s on Saturday.
The fast finish ensured King’s grabbed a four-try bonus point that was due reward for a performance where they showed strong patches of what the young team is capable of.
Injuries and illness put the side on the back foot before kick-off with vice-captain Oliver Hatch (Year 13, Major) ruled out alongside fellow front-rower Flynn Hamilton-Muller (Year 12, Averill), while regular skipper Levi Gwynne (Year 13, Parnell) started from the bench leaving Brodey Warren (Year 13, Peart) to captain the team.
While the rain has been a regular feature of the rugby season in 2023, Saturday’s match also included strong gusts of wind, which made things challenging for goal kickers.
King’s had the breeze at their backs during the first spell and despite enjoying a healthy period of possession in the opening stages, the visitors were the first to score in the seventh minute.
Fullback Luca Fuller (Year 13, Selwyn) answered back with a penalty before St Peter’s started to build a lead with further tries.
Down 3-19 after only 25 minutes, King’s flanker Johan Schaumkell (Year 11, School) scored after he charged down a kick with Fuller adding the extras. St Peter’s then grabbed another five-pointer as King’s trailed 10-24 at halftime.
On the back of a solid scrum and abrasive forward play, St Peter’s added to their advantage with further tries in the second spell and Kin’s were behind 10-38 as the clock ticked past the hour mark.
But the team has shown all season that they refuse to give in, and the final stages of the game saw Dillon Vaoga (Year 13, Averill), Luca Fuller (Year 13, Selwyn), and Hawaiki Morrison (Year 12, Parnell) all score tries in quick succession.
Robbie Noble (Year 12, Greenbank) made his debut for the First XV when he came on via the bench in the second spell and he sparked the counterattack that led to Morrison’s try.
Due to the school holidays, the 1A competition will go on a two-week hiatus and the First XV’s next match will be a traditional fixture against Palmerston North Boys’ High School at King’s College on Saturday 15 July. The match is set to start at 11am.
“The boys are really excited for Palmy. So, get a few days off, boys should get rested and recovered and we’re into it again,” Warren said.
King’s, who are in ninth place on the 1A ladder, will return to action in the local competition with an away trip to Liston College on Saturday 22 July.
