Tuesday 22 July 2025
First XV 28 vs 5 Kelston Boys' High School
After the holiday break, the team participated in a very good camp prior to the Kelston Boys' High School game. A win on Saturday was needed to keep the hopes of a home semi-final alive.
The match began with both sides trying to move the ball as well as utilising effective kicking game strategies. At the 15-minute mark, King's had a lineout 25 metres out from the Kelston goal line. A very good drive was set up and the King's forward pack advanced their way to the line with Charlie Burn (Year 13, School) scoring a great try. Marco Miln (Year 13, Selwyn) converted for a 7-0 lead.
Play then fluctuated back and forward with keen defence and strong attack from both teams, but errors didn't allow finishing touches to be completed.
After 27 minutes, King's had a scrum 10 metres inside their own half. The play went left, then swung back right, where a strong attack was finished off by TJ Anae-Paila (Year 13, School), fending off his tackler and running 40 meters to score a very good team try. Miln converted to take the score to 14-0 at halftime.
King's started the second half strongly and put many phases together, but errors once again let them down. However, one attacking foray down the left-hand side allowed the ball to go wide, and then three inside passes found Johan Schaumkell (Year 13, School) to score a great team try, which was converted by Miln. King's were now leading 21-0.
Kelston then had the opportunity to attack after a couple of errors from King's. They stretched the King's defence both ways and managed to score wide out on the right-hand side. The conversion was not successful to take the score to 21-5.
After some rain, the ball became very slippery, with both teams making errors in the difficult conditions. In the final minute, King's had gained a territorial advantage and put pressure on the right-hand attacking side, then moved the ball left. A kick was put through that Kelston managed to cover and set a ruck. Schaumkell stole the ball in the next phase and then barged through for the final try. Miln converted from wide out to take the score to 28-5 to finish the game.
A great result with the four-try bonus point win, keeping King's in second place on the table.
The game saw a significant milestone with Sione Manuopangai (Year 13, Peart) receiving his 50th game cap - a great achievement.
The team now has a big week preparing themselves for the top of the table clash with Saint Kentigern College being played at King's at 2.30pm this coming Saturday 26 July which will be a game not to miss.
Colts 27 vs 19 Sacred Heart College
In a closely contested match with Sacred Heart College (SHC) this Saturday, the King's Colts arrived early for pre-match preparation and warm-up ahead of their clash with a highly ranked SHC team. Despite being fresh back from the term break, the Colts XV got off to a slow start early on a cold, frosty morning, which made for slippery conditions.
The game started slowly, with a couple of dropped balls putting the boys under early pressure on their defensive line. However, the Colts rose to the challenge, showing resilience and determination by winning the ball back through a crucial penalty. The forwards then dominated in an ensuing scrum, setting up a platform for the backs to play with vision and flair. A well-executed backline move led to an impressive 80-metre try by fullback Hugh Smithies (Year 11, Parnell), showcasing quick hands and speed on the outside edge. The try was promptly converted by first five eight Cale Ngatai (Year 11, Parnell).
The team again held strong defensively, repelling multiple Sacred Heart attacking phases and winning key ruck collisions. Another penalty was awarded, pushing the boys into the opposition's 22. From a lineout set play, the ball was moved swiftly through the backs, with centre Spencer Capper (Year 13, Parnell) exploiting a gap in the defence to score the second try, though unconverted.
Despite maintaining a sustained attack by continuing to apply pressure, a series of penalties against the Colts allowed SHC to gain a territorial advantage, resulting in an unconverted try, bringing up a first-half score of 12-5 to King's College.
SHC returned with gusto in the second half to score immediately with a converted try not far from the goalposts. Colts replied with an unconverted forwards try by Evile Tu'umatavai (Year 13, Major) who busted through several tackles to dot down on the line. SHC then capitalised on Colts' errors to steal the lead with a converted try.
The boys maintained their fighting spirit. While Sacred Heart fought hard to stay in the contest, the Colts' backline kicked up another gear, challenging the SHC defence with Winger Ollie Anderson (Year 11, Greenbank) making several strong runs, adding momentum, and keeping the opposition on the back foot. Persistence paid off for Anderson, who was rewarded with an unconverted try in the 20th minute of the second half, stealing back a narrow lead for King's. Buoyed by confidence with ball-in-hand and plenty of territorial advantage, openside flanker Finn Jones (Year 12, Parnell) broke away left field, beating several defenders to seal the match with an unconverted try. A very tense and highly entertaining game for the supporters. King's Colts were ecstatic to come away with the win.
Tries: Hugh Smithies, Spencer Capper, Evile Tu'umatavai, Ollie Anderson, Finn Jones
Conversions: Cale Ngatai
1R Maroon 7 vs 21 Auckland Grammar School
It is always great to have the extra third week of the school holidays; however, we are at a disadvantage when having to play on the last Saturday of our holidays, without having trained throughout the week. We were unable to play on the No.1 field as the French National rugby team had been training on the field this week and our First XV have a huge match against Saint Kentigern College next Saturday, so in an endeavour to allow the No.1 field to be repaired, our match was transferred to the No.2 field.
The sun was shining, there was very little wind, and the field was relatively firm underfoot. We had six of our squad still away on holiday with their families and one injured player, so we were lucky to have three Second XV players (all of whom had played for this team last year), come along and help bolster our numbers for this very important match against AGS, who like ourselves, with only three rounds remaining, were looking to secure a top four spot.
We started the match well and dominated possession and field position, but just lacked accuracy, probably because we had not touched a rugby ball for three weeks. Grammar made two excursions into our 22m and scored tries on both occasions, both of which were converted by their kicker. Centre - Johnny Wilson (Year 13, Parnell) scored a well-taken solo try for us, which was converted by first five eight - Daniel Chitty (Year 13, School) - and at halftime we were behind 7–14 on the scoreboard, but definitely right in the match.
In the second half, Grammar scored another converted try and we created further opportunities to score tries, but we still failed to break the AGS defence or were not accurate in our execution. 10 minutes into the second half, there was a major injury when flanker Denver Olde (Year 13, School) remained on the ground after a ruck. The game was stopped while we tried to assess his injury and when it turned out to be a neck injury, we did not move him and called an ambulance to take him to the hospital for further assessment. After around 20 minutes of standing around and still no sign of the ambulance, I decided to concede the match as Grammar was leading 21–7 at the time. Although our boys would have loved to end the game with 25 minutes to play, when a player sustains a serious neck injury, the team's priority will always stay with the injured player, so the game was abandoned at that point.
We are pleased to report that Denver is okay, with no serious injuries. We wish him the best for his recovery.
Next week, we host the top of the table and undefeated Sacred Heart College. Lots of work to be completed at training this week in preparation for that match.
Try: Johnny Wilson
Conversion: Dan Chitty
1R Gold 12 vs 34 Auckland Grammar School
After a week of rain, having clear skies and sunshine for our game against Auckland Grammar School (AGS) was a welcome change. Right after the three-week school holiday, the match's timing always presents challenges with preparation, as many of the boys are still shaking off the holiday mindset. Despite this, I was proud to see the team step up and take the field with determination.
From the opening whistle, AGS made their intentions clear. Their forward pack brought strong physicality, gaining ground with powerful ball carries and putting pressure on our defence. Their backline was equally dangerous, showing impressive speed and skill through the midfield and out wide.
Our boys, however, showed tremendous grit and resilience. There was some excellent scrambling defence, particularly from Joshua McEniery (Year 10, School), Jake Peacocke (Year 11, Selwyn), and others who dug deep to hold the line. In attack, we had our moments too - Archie Gore (Year 11, Selwyn) and Lachlan Wong (Year 11, St John's) made some great runs and occasionally broke through their defence.
Despite our efforts, AGS proved too strong on the day, finishing with a 34–12 win. Our boys will regroup and refocus this week as we prepare to take on St Peter's College at home.
Tries: Joshua McEniery, Tate Chong (Year 12, Greenbank)
Conversion: Archie Gore
6A 19 vs 51 Sacred Heart College
Saturday's game was rough, but the boys displayed strength and will, especially at the end. Sacred Heart's team was tough and started scoring from the very beginning of the match. The final score was 51-19 to Sacred Heart.
King's scored one try at the end of the first half with McQuade Ingram (Year 9, Greenbank), which Daniel Parker (Year 9, Parnell) converted. The other tries were scored by Will Mace (Year 10, St Johns) and Daniel Parker, with a conversion by Hudson Hooker (Year 10, Parnell).
Despite the result, the game ended with a good atmosphere and cheerful parents, thanks to coach Joe Wiggans' enthusiasm and positive attitude.
Tries: McQuade Ingram, Will Mace, Daniel Parker
Conversion: Daniel Parker, Hudson Hooker
U15A 12 vs 7 Sacred Heart College
With a chill in the air, the Sacred Heart College team arrived with a sea of supporters, determined to see their team live up to the recent self-promoting TikTok billing that they were the favourites.
Right from the first kick off, King's matched their foe with a number of surges up the field, building upon the limited preparation the side had over the 3-week break.
The cool but dew-covered ground played havoc with both teams' handling, which saw both teams struggle for the first 20 minutes.
Then, following some good work by Tolokana Pulupuna (Year 10, Marsden) and his other forwards, the King's boys were able to penetrate the Sacred defences and make huge territory, leading to Ben Leith (Year 11, St John's) producing a big right-foot step and taking defenders with him to score the first try. Daniel Parker (Year 9, Parnell) then smartly converted.
HT: King's 7-0 Sacred
The second half continued with both teams creating chances but unable to score.
Until one of the contenders for the team's try of the year occurred. Starting with an opposition fed scrum, Oscar Eriksen (Year 10, School) was able to strike the ball back to our side, it was then cleared and moved along the back line where a strong and now confident Leith showed the ball in two hands, cut inside beating one man, before giving it everything to sprint and dive into the corner. Covered in opposition tacklers, mud and his own hard-earned sweat, the ref rightly awarded the try!!
This went unconverted and King's led, 12-0, with 20 minutes to play.
For the remainder of the game, King's was forced to defend for each other, their families and the mighty school we call King's as wave after wave of Sacred attack rained down.
Ill-discipline saw us lose two players to Yellow cards, which, although Sacred scored a try during this time, increased the team's resolve, led by a commanding performance by impact player Jack Morris (Year 10, St John's), earning our "smashed 'em bro" trophy for his tireless effort.
The team now sets its sights firmly on the next challenge of Auckland Grammar. A win here would see us first equal at the top of the table and set for finals football.
Tries: Ben Leith (2)
Conversions: Daniel Parker
U14A LBD vs Kelston Boys' High School
Loss by default.