27 Jul 2020

Monday 27 July 2020

Matthew Monaghan Kings College First XV Vs St Peters

1st XV VS DILWORTH SCHOOL, KC 53 - 13 DS

The King’s College 1st XV travelled across to Dilworth School on Saturday with the intention of playing some free-flowing and accurate rugby that would enable us to score at least four tries and secure a bonus point victory.

The conditions were ideal for the type of rugby we aspire to play with a well-grassed and fairly firm field and only a small breeze with the sun shining.

Dilworth had a big, physical team and put us under early pressure in the first 20 minutes of the match where they were able to convert a penalty and then a converted try. That was to be their only points for the half, however, as our boys scored three good tries to blindside flanker Che Clark, and a double to centre Ali Leiataua. Max Webb, playing in his first game for the 1st XV at 1st 5/8, chimed in with two conversions and a penalty to end the half ahead by 22 – 10.

The first priority in the second half was to score the fourth try to secure the offensive bonus point and it wasn’t long before Leiataua had picked up his third individual try. Dilworth continued to throw everything at us but our defence was a lot more accurate and effective in the second half.

When they were awarded a penalty inside our 22m and with the score 29 – 10, it was surprising to see them take a shot at goal. That was to be the last points scored by the opposition as we scored a further four tries to Leiataua (again, for an outstanding personal tally of four tries!), Max Webb, Maikel Tuala and Jarius Iosefa. Webb added another two conversions and when the referee ended the match, the scoreboard read 53 – 13 to King’s.

We had picked up several injuries in our first couple of games, so two new players were added to the squad and made their debut against Dilworth. Lock Te Kiwa Whatuira and hooker Louie Whata both made impressive debuts and contributed to a good all-round performance by the team. Special mention must be made of centre Ali Leiataua who had a blinder and scored four fabulous tries in the match. The match was also a very special match for openside flanker Christian Pese as he played his fourteenth game for the 1st XV and was presented his Cap by Head Coach – Mr Kennelly at the end of the match.

There were two big match-ups on the weekend between St. Kent’s and AGS as well as St. Peter’s and Sacred Heart. AGS and St. Peter’s did us a huge favour by defeating the two previously undefeated teams - St. Kent’s and Sacred Heart, which means that we are now first equal after three rounds on the points table with 11 points along with both St. Kent’s and Sacred Heart Colleges. Next weekend we travel away (again) to Tangaroa College where once again, our goal will be to secure a bonus point victory and cement our preparation for the ‘Big Game’ the following weekend against our arch-rivals Auckland Grammar here at King’s.