Three minutes into the game, a lapse in King’s College’s defense saw St Kentigern almost walk in for their first try. Not long after that there was another. After 20 minutes the King’s side was down 17-3.
While some teams would have thrown in the towel at this stage, the resilience that has formed in the team came to the fore and King’s bounced back. With tries to Ajay Mua, Tom Morrison and Matt Olo-Whaanga before the break, all of a sudden King’s were only down 22-24 at half-time.
The boys weren’t stopping there. The second half started well and Sam Reid crossed in the corner with King’s finding space out wide, often. Ciarahn Matoe was able to keep the scoreboard ticking over with his kicking. The St Kentigern players were able to cross once in the second half but were still very much in touch.
Liam Baker-Smith scored in the corner with an outstanding diving try that had half of his body out of play but the all important ball squarely grounded over the try line. With a 6 point lead, the King’s team was still vulnerable, until a penalty by Ciarahn, with 6 minutes left on the clock, meant St Kentigern would have to score twice to win. King’s maintained the ball with some very good time management before he final whistle blew; King’s running out winners, 38-29.
This victory secures a spot in the semi-finals but the place is yet to be decided.
