Monday 29 June 2026
First XV 19 vs 50 Kelston Boys' High School
Our First XV faced a challenging afternoon against a formidable Kelston Boys' High School side on Saturday, ultimately falling 19-50 in a match where the final scoreline did not fully reflect the spirit of the contest. Despite moments of brilliance and defensive strength, King's struggled to contain a clinical opponent as the game progressed.
Kelston struck early to find the try line, and quickly followed up with a powerful rolling maul to extend their lead to 12-0. However, King's refused to back down. The response was immediate and energetic; a penalty scrum in the Kelston 22-metre allowed the backs to shift the ball wide, with Karson Hawkins (Year 13, Parnell) demonstrating sharp finishing to dot down in the corner. Moments later, the momentum surged further when Sam Coulter (Year 13, School) gathered the kick-off and produced a sensational 50-metre run, followed by an outstanding side line kick from Naki Kea-Cameron (Year 11, Selwyn), to level the scores. A late surge from Kelston, however, allowed them to retake the lead just before the break, leaving King's trailing 12-19 at half-time.
The second half proved difficult for King's as Kelston's efficiency began to tell, with the visitors scoring back-to-back tries to stretch their advantage. Showing character, King's clawed one back when a miscued Kelston line-out gifted them possession, allowing Tino Fituafe (Year 11, School) to power over for his first try in the First XV jersey.
Unfortunately, that would be the final scoring joy for the home side, as Kelston's backline found their rhythm to pull away in the final quarter. While the result was disappointing, the performance highlighted the talent and potential within the squad. The team showed they could compete with the best for sustained periods, and they will undoubtedly look to channel that first-half intensity into next week's grudge match against De La Salle College.
Following the match, Head Coach Ian Robinson emphasised the need for consistency and mental toughness. The primary focus for the coming week is learning how to maintain intensity for the full 70 minutes. Robinson noted that the team "needs to learn to stay in a fight" and avoid the trend of letting games slip away during the second half. Robinson praised the impact off the bench and the continued high-level efforts from Jamie Ludbrook (Year 13, St John's), Josiah Fifita (Year 12, Averill) and Sam Coulter (Year 13, School). He also made special mention of Tino Fituafe for his excellent play and debut try.
Despite the frustration of the result, the squad is already looking ahead to the upcoming grudge match against De La Salle, viewing it as a critical opportunity to bounce back.
1R Gold 5 vs 37 Auckland Grammar School
The team delivered a strong first-half performance, entering the break tied at 5-5 following an excellent try by Yamato Sakurai (Year 12, Peart) from a set move. During this period, we demonstrated our best phase play and set-piece dominance, led by fly-half and captain Toby Richardson (Year 13, St John’s).
Our disciplined defence and effective ruck work allowed us to control the half convincingly. However, our discipline faltered in the second half as the team conceded both a red and a yellow card in quick succession.
This shift in momentum allowed Grammar to capitalise and secure quick points. As the saying goes, "Starting strong is good, but finishing strong is epic"; unfortunately, while we began with intensity, we were unable to sustain it through the final whistle. Despite these challenges, the players continued to work hard and remained resilient.
The team has made significant progress over the first half of the season, and we look forward to a strong second half as 1R Gold pursues its first victory.
1R Maroon 23 vs 21 Auckland Grammar School 1RA
Following inclement weather throughout the week, we were expecting more of the same on Saturday, however, the sun was shining and the conditions were favourable for our style of rugby. We knew that Grammar would be a tough opponent, and so it proved to be…
Playing into a fairly strong wind, we started well and created several scoring opportunities early, but did not manage to finish them off. We applied constant pressure and held them inside their 22-metre for a long period of time, but only had one penalty goal to First 5/8 Matt Cunningham (Year 13, Greenbank) to show for our efforts. Matt scored an individual try not long after the penalty and we led 8-0. Grammar managed to score a converted try just before the break, and at half-time we led by the narrowest of margins at 8-7.
In the second half, we used the wind to kick deep into their half and tried to keep them pinned down there. From a line-out inside their 22-metre, and some strong forward play, replacement hooker Hugo Olde (Year 13, School) scored out wide but Matt was unable to convert. This took us out to a 13-7 lead. Grammar managed to score another converted try and, for the first time, they led 14-13. Matt kicked another penalty and we moved back ahead at 16-14.
Play moved back and forth with neither team unable to score. With ten minutes remaining, Grammar scored, converted and took back the lead 21-16. Then, in a turning point of the game, Grammar were back on attack again and spun the ball wide. Our winger Jarel Samasoni (Year 12, Averill) intercepted a pass and ran 95 metres to score under their posts. Matt converted and with 5 minutes remaining, we held a narrow 23-21 lead.
As the clock wound down, Grammar threw everything at us and we showed ill-discipline in a tackle that led to a penalty being awarded to them about 30 metres out and to the left of our posts. Their goal kicker, who had been 100% off the tee up until the penalty, missed the kick, and we managed to scramble our way back downfield just before the referee blew the whistle for full-time.
A tough but very important win that keeps us in the top four. On Wednesday, we travel to St. Kentigern after school to play the match that was scheduled to be played on the last Saturday of the school holidays, for both schools. We must win that match to secure a top two spot heading into Term 3.
5A 0 vs 27 Sacred Heart College 5A
This was a fairly comprehensive defeat by a well drilled Sacred Heart team. There were some positives in the recycling of possession by a solid forward pack. Freddie Dryden (Year 11, School) was excellent in running and securing the ball. The highlight was the release of the ‘Thai Torpedo’, Ethan Chatkeonopadol (Year 11, Parnell), who simply delighted in running directly at the opponents. He also produced the best tackle of the season, which will live long in the memory of those who saw it and the player who felt it.
Unfortunately, there were few scoring opportunities for King's, and apart from a Hudson Hooker (Year 11, Parnell) break and a scamper down the wing by Rocco Hrstic (Year 11, School), scoring opportunities were very limited.
Half-Time: King's 0 vs S.H.C 12
The second half was more open and end-to-end. There were two great breaks by James Cunningham (Year 11, Greenbank) which we could unfortunately not finish off. Charlie Andrews (Year 10, Selwyn) also had a fantastic run down the left hand side, and if not for a superb tackle, he may have gone the distance. The introduction of Karter Harris (Year 11, Peart) and Remy O’Neill (Year 11, Averill) brought a bit of zip to the attack and they were unlucky not to get over the white line.
There were good displays from Arthur White (Year 11, Selwyn), Hugo Gimeno-Wood (Year 11, Selwyn), Zack Anderson (Year 11, Greenbank)and Jake Heatherbell (Year 11, Parnell). Olaf Hanson (Year 11, Selwyn) returned from injury and continues to improve as does Hugo Colgan (Year 11, St John's).
The focus now shifts to our game against Saint Kentigern College on Thursday, where we will be looking to gain revenge for our defeat in the opening round.
6A 7 vs 5 Sacred Heart College 6A
Our team prepared well for this game during the week and eagerly anticipated the challenge of Sacred Heart. SHC was a very good unit last time played, so the assignment was going to be tough but the boys were focused and excited.
Again like last week, our team followed through and matched their preparations in an arm wrestle of a game with dedication and effort throughout. Our line was under constant threat, but the team worked hard for each other to extinguish any danger Sacred posed as we scrambled defensively and tirelessly to safety.
Well led upfront by Captain Luke Leuschke (Year 10, Peart) and ably supported by his whole forward pack, the team showed considerable improvement and have set the team up for the rest of the season with standards to retain. Of note, Jackson Summerfield (Year 10, St John's) continuously pressured and turned over Sacred's line-out ball, took two-handed line-out balls at will, and tackled himself like the rest of the forwards to a standstill.
Our backline also worked hard with Ollie Knight (Year 10, Major) outstanding at half back, tackling and directing his forward pack around the park, and the centre pairing of Toby Broadhurst (Year 10, School) and Riley Gardner (Year 10, St John's) provided formidable defence, together with straight hard running and clearing work, with the ball we turned over or had to play with.
Our attacking game again came to life with more brilliance from our full-back Daniel Wu (Year 11, Major) who broke out from his own half, ran through defenders with strength and then cleared away to run unopposed to score under the posts. The conversion was taken by Toby and we turned at the half time, 7-0 up and upbeat of our chances in the second half.
Again, the second half was more of the first half as both teams battled hard for some ascendancy but neither willing to yield. Sacred did score but it came after a well-taken individual effort out wide. Sacred failed to convert as we held a 7-5 advantage going into the final quarter.
With 10 minutes to go however a very unfortunate incident occurred when Harry Thompson (Year 10, School), a key member of our team, was involved in an injury requiring ambulance support. He was taken to hospital for further tests which cleared him of any major injury.
We are very glad to hear that Harry is recovering well and very thankful to Paul Monk, the St John’s Ambulance team who were on hand at the park and the Sacred Heart College officials and team for the support provided to Harry, his family and our team.
The game was called off and competition points shared.
U14A 24 vs 14 Howick College
A hard-fought win on a beautiful sunny morning on Field 2, with plenty to take out of it heading into Wednesday.
Kings dominated the opening exchanges in both possession and territory, racing out to a 10-0 lead within the first 15 minutes. The scoreline should have been more commanding — three or four certain tries were left out there, with the final pass going astray on each occasion. It was a theme that would persist throughout the game.
A further try just before the break sent Kings into halftime in a healthy position at 17-0, with a try from Carter Williams (Year 9, Selwyn), and two from Niko Tipping (Year 9, Selwyn).
Discipline was a concern throughout the first half, with the team picking up a number of penalties for offside and high tackles — an area that will need addressing this week.
The second half brought a different challenge. Kings introduced five fresh reserves, which should have translated into a more commanding second period, but it was Howick who came out with the sharper attitude after the break. Ball retention became a real issue — constant drops and a lack of execution led to turnovers, and Howick capitalised well, scoring two converted tries to close the gap to 17–14 with ten minutes remaining.
To their credit, the King's boys stayed calm under pressure. They worked their way back down the field and camped in Howick's quarter for the closing stages. After sustained attacking pressure and a series of Howick penalties, Niko crossed to seal the win.
An ugly win — but a win nonetheless. There is plenty to work on this week, and with a quick turnaround to Wednesday's game, the focus starts now.
U15R 5 vs 36 Mt Albert Grammar School
In this round of the competition, we faced an incredibly well-drilled and clinical Mt Albert Grammar side.
Our boys showed incredible heart from the opening whistle, starting with an amazing try from Sam Williamson (Year 9, School), assisted by a great chip-kick from JJ Clarke (Year 9, Major), perfectly placed for Sam to catch and run to score in the corner. This gave us the perfect start, and the boys were excited and ready for a great match. However, MAGS fought back to take a 12-5 lead at the break.
While a 36-5 loss is tough, the scoreline doesn't reflect the immense effort and work ethic the boys put into every single phase of play. The first half was a real battle, but we just couldn't hold on into the second half when the game slowly slipped away from us.
Well done to the boys for fighting until the very end; we look forward to a great game on Thursday at King's.
Second XV 38 vs 17 St Peter's College Second XV
The Second XV put in a much-improved team performance to beat St Peter’s College in the Cage on Saturday in near-perfect conditions.
King’s once again started brightly, scoring their opening try through a well-executed driving maul to take an early lead. It was evident that St Peter’s would look to use their big ball carriers and direct running with a view to making inroads. However, the disciplined King’s defence proved they were up to the task throughout the opening exchanges.
Felix Spary (Year 13, Selwyn) was able to put King’s in the right areas of the field with his kicking game, and when opportunities arose, King’s converted pressure into points to lead 17–5 at the half-time break thanks to tries from Reid Thompson (Year 12, Parnell) and Josh Leighton (Year 12, School).
More of the same was the call at halftime, and the players delivered. Flanker Reid Thompson carried strongly throughout the game alongside Keanu Nathan (Year 13, St John’sl), creating excellent go-forward and providing a solid platform to attack from. To their credit, St Peter’s continued to attack with intent; however, King’s must be commended for defending well throughout the match.
A well-worked move allowed winger Jack Burns (Year 12, Peart) to make a 50-metre break before delivering a deft inside pass for Brave Doolan (Year 12, School) to score his second try of the half and put King’s out of sight.
Keanu Nathan scored his second try of the afternoon from a penalty move with the final play of the game to seal a well-deserved victory and retain the Kempson-Waalkens Trophy.
MVP: Reid Thompson for creating valuable go-forward for his team throughout the game while also winning several key turnovers in defence
U15A 7 vs 24 Westlake Boys' High School U15A
King’s College travelled to Westlake to face the top-of-the-table side and began the match with excellent continuity and strong momentum. The first half was one of the best we have seen from the King’s U15s this season, with the team controlling much of the middle territory and applying consistent pressure.
Westlake threatened at times, but outstanding defensive efforts from both the forwards and backs kept them at bay. Our defence was so effective that Westlake opted to take three penalty kicks at goal rather than push for tries, an indication of the pressure our boys applied.
King’s managed to work their way into Westlake’s half, and quick thinking from James at halfback saw him take advantage of a penalty to score a well-earned try.
In the second half, although we remained competitive and continued to fight hard, Westlake showed their composure and began to build momentum. We struggled to fully adapt to some of the referee’s interpretations and were unable to convert key opportunities into points.
While it was a tough loss, the team continues to show encouraging improvement each week, which is exciting for our development. We now look ahead to coming together again as we prepare to face Saint Kentigern’s this Wednesday.
Viking of the Week: Fili Setima Autagavaia (Year 10, Peart) – for outstanding commitment and composure.
Hitman (“The Rock”): Max Maire (Year 10, Peart) – for his power and dominance in tackles.
Cowboy: McQuaid Ingram (Year 10, Greenbank)– for his maturity and strong decision-making.