Saturday 13 April
King’s 39 - 15 Otago Boys High School
The First XV began their Southern tour with a game against Otago Boys High School this morning. It was played at the North Ground which is situated near the University. This allowed many of our Old Collegians who are studying in Dunedin to come and watch the game which was fantastic to see. The team appreciated their support.
Six players made their debut.
The first half saw Otago Boys score first but tries to Robbie Noble (Year 13, Greenbank), which Harrison Martin (Year 13, Selwyn) converted, Josh McKay (Year 12, School) and Joseph Fatuvalu (Year 12, Averill) saw King’s take a 17-5 lead at half time.
The second half saw King’s scoring first through a try to Johan Schaumkell (Year 12, School) which was converted by Harrison. Play then ebbed and flowed with Otago Boys scoring twice again. The 63rd minute saw Harrison kick an important penalty to take the score out to 27-15 and after that King’s scored twice, with another each to Johan and Joseph. Marco Miln (Year 12, Selwyn) converted the last try for a final score of 39-15 to King’s College.
The Sir Keith Park Trophy is played for in this traditional fixture and King’s is now the holder of this. Sir Keith attended both King’s College and Otago Boys High.
Final score: King's 39 - 15 Otago Boys High School
Tuesday 16 April
King's 22 - 24 Southland Boys High School
The First XV played their final game of the Southern Tour against Southland Boys High School.
After a fantastic day weather wise yesterday it started to rain this morning - even though this cleared before kickoff, it did make the field slick on top.
King’s had a challenging half with mistakes and penalties allowing Southland Boys to kick into the corners and score three lineout drive tries.
The half time score was 19-0 to SBHS.
A few changes were made at half time and King’s started to put together some good phases. Three minutes into the second half Charlie Burn (Year 12, School) scored a try from a lineout drive wide out. The conversion attempt bounced off the upright. Ten minutes later Charlie scored another try after many phases by the team lead to an overlap which he ran around behind the posts for Harrison to add the conversion taking the score to 12-19.
Another set of phases lead to a try by Sione Manuopangai (Year 12, Peart), which was converted by Harrison to take the score to 19-19. Harrison kicked a 45-metre penalty in the 66th minute for King’s to take the lead 22-19. Deep into extra time SBHS pushed King’s off a defensive scrum that allowed them to move the ball wide to score a try in the corner that was not converted taking them to a 24-22 lead.
King’s kicked off and applied an enormous amount of pressure through many phases eventually being held up over the line to bring the game to a close.
Final Score: King's 22 - 24 Southland Boys High School
Overall, a tight game against a strong opposiition. Lots of positives showcased, but also many improvements to be made before the start of the season.
The team continues to prepare for the start of their 1A campaign, commencing 11 May against Liston College at home.
Wenesday 17 April
2nd XV's South Auckland Challenge
The 2nd XV played in the South Auckland Challenge at Otahuhu College fields in a game format of four 30 min halves over a 3 hour period.
Game 1 - King’s 5 vs 5 Otahuhu 1B (try to Spencer Capper)
Game 2 - King’s 20 vs 5 De La Salle 2B (tries to Tom Boucher, Bailey Harris, Koby Schaumkel and Sean Angilau)
Game 3 - King’s 5 vs 10 Aorere 1B (try Matt Cunningham)
Game 4 - King’s 15 vs 5 De La Salle 2B (tries to Matt Cunningham, Spencer Capper and Juleo Tauu)
Overall, a very good day out for the 2nd XV who showed promising signs in their first hit out as a team. Some very impressive tries out wide, when king’s held possession and moved the ball to space with Matt Cunningham (Year 11, Greenbank), Spencer Capper (Year 12, Parnell) and Juleo Tauu (Year 13, St John's) all finishing well.
Hard working forwards Tom Boucher (Year 12, Greenbank), Christian Collins (Year 12, Major) and Taniela Ngata (Year 13, Parnell) were all very industrious in providing solid go forward.
Upcoming fixtures:
First XV:
Vs Napier Boys' High School - Saturday 27 April at King’s, 11am.
Second XV:
Vs St Andrew's College (Christchurch) - Tuesday 23 April at King’s, 11am.
Vs Napier Boys' High School - Saturday 27 April at King’s, 11am.
