King’s had an impressive weekend of rugby racking up wins across the board. Our First XV pulled off a thorough win at home against competition newcomers Tamaki College. A fulltime score of 67-3 and impressive performances by Year 11 blindside flanker Judda Turahui and lock Iliesa Ratuva secured King’s the win, which places them at the top of the 1A table.
King’s scored a total of 11 tries, with six of these coming in the second half. A higlight of the game was the team’s relentless and accurate defense, which denied the Tamaki pack any chance to cross the tryline.
The match was a special occasion for halfback Thorn Parkes and winger Callum Douglas, who both played their 14th championship match for the First XV and were deservedly presented their First XV caps by Head of Rugby Tasesa Lavea.
The coaches and players continue to prepare for a challenging month ahead with away matches at Aorere College and Auckland Grammar School.
Full Reports
First XV
Tamaki College
67 – 3 to King’s
Tries: Judda Turahui (3), Dion Aho (2), Iliesa Ratuva, Isa'ako Enosa, Meihana Grindlay, Lukan Paitai-Tuiatua, Callum Douglas and Weropuna Witika
Conversions: Zarn Sullivan (5), Isa'ako Enosa
The weather was fine for our home match against newly promoted Tamaki College on Saturday. This allowed our team to weather the anticipated 'storm' that we expected from Tamaki, especially in the forwards where their big pack, after initially making in-roads into our defense, tired and relented as our superior fitness and experience kicked in. We were able to stop their best efforts to cross our line and when we turned over their ball, it was quickly moved wide and we were able to score five well-taken tries, two of which were converted, for a halftime score of 29 - 0.
After the break and some encouraging words from the coaches, and with the wind at our backs, our forwards continued their domination of the opposition pack to produce quality ball that enabled us to score six more tries with four more conversions for a final score of 67 - 3. The try of the match was scored by Lock, Iliesa Ratuva, who caught the ball from the kickoff at the start of the second half and jinked and 'goose-stepped' the opposition, threw a beautiful 'dummy' and ran the length of the field for a wonderful solo try that enchanted the crowd. The most pleasing part of the game was our relentless and accurate defense that repelled the Tamaki pack, time and time again to disappoint their vocal crowd that had hoped to see their team cross our tryline.
Another highlight was the hat-trick of tries scored by young Year 11 blindside flanker Judda Turahui, who could also have scored a fourth, but unselfishly passed the ball to replacement winger Dion Aho, to secure himself a brace of tries. This match was very special for halfback Thorn Parkes and winger Callum Douglas, who both played their 14th championship match for the First XV and were deservedly presented their First XV caps by coach Tasesa Lavea in the changing room after the game.
King's currently sits top of the table after four rounds with 16 points, but there is a long way to go and some big matches to play.
The coaches and players will continue to prepare for a challenging month ahead with away matches at Aorere College and Auckland Grammar School.
Second XV
Wesley College
34-0 to King’s
Tries: Will Boyden, Jason de Heer (2), Levi Uluakiahoia, Weropuna Witika. Penalty: Dion Aho
Conversions: Oliva Mason (3)
King's 2nd XV were impressive at home, putting away the very fancied Wesley College team 34-0.
King's could not have started better. On the back of a very dominant scrum and well-performed lineout, the ample supply of ball was used very well by the backline. Player of the day, Jason de Heer, ran very strong lines and gave an excellent platform to run our forwards off.
Will Boyden scored the first try after five minutes after prolonged pressure on the Wesley College line saw him deftly step a number of players and dive under the poles. Without a recognised kicker, Oliva Mason took over the duties and converted the first of his three conversions for the day.
After several rucks with forwards carrying strongly, de Heer ripped the Wesley midfield apart and dived over for the King's second. On the stroke of halftime, King's decided to not clear the ball to touch but rather to run it. The reward came six phases later with forwards crashing in close to the ruck, only for Levi Uluakiahoia to muscle over. This was great reward for the outstanding game he had.
The second half saw King's immediately add to their 21-0 lead with substitute Weropuna Witika stepping and fending his way through 30 metres to slide over the line and establish a 26-0 lead.
Dion Aho was free on several occasions but never managed to get the try-scoring pass, although he did get onto the scoreboard with a penalty kick to extend the lead to 29-0.
A turnover in our own 22m was turned into a length of the field play that saw Jason de Heer pick up his second try from great support play.
The attacking play was impressive, but the character of the team was measured in the resolute defence and work ethic around supporting each other. Forwards, Laith Hammond, Tahu Watson and Billy Coman covered the field well, and the clever drift defence of the backline ensured the Wesley outside backs were ultimately taken into touch.
Next week our second XV play Saint Peter’s College at the Cage.
Colts
Mangere College
32-7 to King’s
Tries: Nathan Archibald, Milan Urlich Lucas Brooke, Harry Lee
Conversions: Tamati Panaho (3)
Penalties: Tamati Panaho (2)
The King’s College Colts played with great discipline and accuracy, resulting in the 32-7 win against Mangere College this weekend. The team built on our forward pack’s dominance, led by several key players including, Sam Lowe, Jamie Kennelly and Lucas Brooke, which allowed the backs to finish off great sweeping movings across the field, resulting in two first half tries.
George Brown was outstanding on the right wing often exposing his opposite and bumping him off on two occasions leading to tries.
The score at half time was 12-7 and King’s applied quick defensive line speed and pressure on the larger Mangere side, resulting in good turnover ball and several more tries for the Colts. This again provided great back play and continuity between Tamati Panaho and Mogammad Smith to set up a few more tries.
U15s
Manurewa High School
63-14 to King’s
Tries: Trent Tairoa (2), Mitchell Irwin (2), Chicago Doyle (2), Che Clark (2), & Luron Iosefa
Conversions: Budda Doyle (9)
Our U15 side played well to win convincingly 63-14.
There are a number of talented players in this team and we are working on developing our team character. The big win will help instill some much needed belief in our team. Playing at home and on a dry pitch helped with our confidence and we were quickly into our work. The team scored nine tries that were all converted by Budda Doyle. The flu and injuries have had a significant impact on our preparation over the last two weeks. Our back three of Mitchell Irwin, Trent Tairoa and Chicago Doyle scored two tries each. Che Clark also scored a double through his strong running from second phase.
There is plenty to work on, so this week we will be concentrating on our work at the breakdown and our first-up tackles.
This Friday the U15s play Aorere College in an away match. This will be another great test of this young team, that is learning with every match.
4th Grade
Auckland Grammar Blue
36-14 to King’s
Tries: George Dougherty, Allan Bentley, Hotene Ngaropo-Tuia, Max Doughty, Grayson Gaze, Harrison Chadwick
Conversions: George Bennett (3)
Our 4th Grade team scored their first win of the season this weekend against Auckland Grammar Blue. George Dougherty had the honour of bulldozing over the line from a ruck to the relief of the team. The forwards paved the way for victory with strong hit-ups, allowing the backs to hit space, leaving the opposition stranded in their wake. The solid win was marred by some poor sportsmanship from our side. Auckland Grammar Blue played hard throughout the game and were rewarded with two strong tries, but it was King’s that prevailed.
5A
Rangitoto College
42-7 to King’s
Tries: Tim Howe (2), Tim Leach, Harry Marshall, Alex Goodwin, George Mclaren, Reuben Fuatua
Conversions and penalty: Ben Broughton
No match report available.
5B
Botany Downs Secondary College
36-5 to King’s
Tries: Caide Davis (2), Kohki Kawata (2), Pum Supachaisakron
Conversions: Jack Graham-Crowther (3)
In what was a scrappy game, our team managed to come away with a comfortable win. We were unable to find our rhythm throughout the game and execute our game plan, the win coming in light of some stand-out individual play.
6A
Howick
48-0 to King’s
Ben Snell (3), Josh Nichol, Monty Hare, Tim Jones, Connor Hislop-Donaldson
6A put Howick College to the sword and racked up a comprehensive win, despite losing 20 minutes of the game due to a serious injury, and having to play uncontested scrums for the entire match. It was a very good effort from our boys to score eight tries in that time, especially considering that Howick were able to have uncontested possession at all the restarts.
The forwards were very dominant at the breakdown and turned multiple balls over on the ground while the backs attacked well from the turnovers. It was a very good team effort and the boys are gelling well as we head towards some tough matches.
7th Grade
Westlake Boys High School
41-7 to King’s
Tries: Monty Matthews, Oliver Laity, Charles Rasmussen (2), Jack Carrick (2) Conversions: Harry Sinclair (2), Charlie Poole (1)
No match report available.
