Falcons fly

Peter Jones

The Marlborough Boys’ College First XV opened their 2023 Miles Toyota Premiership campaign with a bonus-point win over Shirley Boys’ High School on Friday afternoon. The Falcons came away from the MBC front field with a 32-14 victory against a traditionally tough opponent, shutting them out completely in the second half after leading 18-14 at the break.

Inspired by a mass haka behind the posts at the college end, MBC went straight onto attack and were rewarded for seven minutes of pressure with a try to fullback Leo Marfell.

move had bamboozled the Shirley defence. Robinson added the conversion, then was at the core of his side’s final touchdown.

From the middle of the park he recognised space at the back of Shirley’s defence and threaded through a 50-22 kick. From the resulting lineout, and a string of close-range attacks, Robinson pounced on the loose ball to cross near the sticks and then convert, putting the game out of the visitors’ reach.

With a personal haul of 17 points, the experienced Robinson was the guiding light behind the scrum, with the back three of Marfell, Aitken and left winger Tim Petrie posing a

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However, three minutes later the visitors demonstrated how dangerous they could be, right winger Liam Collins dashing over out wide. The conversion from Harry Burke gave them a 7-5 lead but the home side soon edged ahead, Hugh Robinson landing a closerange penalty. Five minutes later the vocal home supporters had more to cheer about, Marfell bagging his second and Robinson converting for a 18-7 advantage.

Again, Shirley quickly replied, left winger Ashton Kelso crossing in the corner and Burke converting to leave the game evenly poised at oranges.

MBC, playing towards the school, set up camp in Shirley’s half after the restart and scored next, hard-running midfielder Koloa Moala Fotu touching down after a simple back constant threat, along with Moala Fotu.

No 8 Ben Gibbons, one of 12 MBC players making their debut at this level, was hugely impressive, carrying hard and reading play well.

Thomas Large, Rico Nicklin and replacement Jack Burdon also shone in the loose. Lock Luke Martella and hooker Johnny Vakaloa were the pick of a mobile, energetic tight five.

Next up for the Falcons is another home fixture, against St Andrew’s College on Saturday, May 20.

The First XV match was part of an interschool exchange, which ended with honours even. MBC won the First XV clash, the under-15 rugby 31-26 and the junior basketball 7067. Shirley won the First XI football 7-1, the junior football 2-0 and the senior basketball 66-55.

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