MBC overcome Christ’s College

Jones

They may have left it until the final minute, but the Marlborough Boys’ College First XV rugby side eventually came away with a 23-21 Miles Toyota premiership victory over Christ’s College on Saturday.

In an evenly-matched, roller-coaster encounter on the MBC front field, the Falcons were forced to go the distance.

The visitors trailed 17-7 at halftime, tries to outside backs Leo Marfell and Carter Aitken coupled with two conversions and a penalty to Hugh Robinson giving the home side an edge. However, Christ’s came out stronger in the second stanza and, with 15 minutes remaining, edged ahead 21-20 as MBC struggled to exit their danger zone and create multi-phase pressure.

In the final minutes a superbly-judged 50-22 kick from Robinson finally allowed the home side to establish vital field position, after which pressure at the breakdown elicited a penalty adjacent to the posts which Robinson coolly converted for a much-needed victory.

MBC head coach Tonga Taumoefolau felt his side’s “defence won the game”.

“We were forced to defend multiple phases but what I was really impressed with was the way we worked hard for each other, especially when they tried to batter us up front. We had the right mentality today.

“Our attack was also pretty good but we have to show more patience and build those long phases.”

Tonga said Robinson was a key to the side’s success with his astute game management, and also praised the work of lock Thomas Large, loosies Ben Gibbons and Rico Nicklin, plus hooker Johnny Vakaloa.

MBC welcomed flanker Will Flynn back to action, the team’s co-captain having sat out a lengthy injury break.

Ryan Webb, MBC First XV statistician and one of the team’s most avid followers, described the Falcons’ effort as “an awesome win”, but quickly suggested “they have got another big one next week”.

On Saturday MBC travel south to meet traditional rival St Bede’s College.

Scorers: MBC 23 (Carter Aitken, Leo Marfell, Hugh Robinson 3 pen, 2 con) Christ’s College 21 (Ethan Jones, Frankie Meates,

Murphy Dargue tries, Leo Jelley 3 con). HT: 17-7 MBC Miles Toyota premiership table: Nelson College 29, Christchurch BHS 26, St Thomas 20, Christ’s College 15, St Andrew’s 14, St Bede’s 14, MBC 9, Shirley 6, Selwyn 6, Timaru 1.

GIVING FOOTBALL A GO: Marlborough Football staged a five-a-side “Give it a Go” tournament on Friday, with over 90 players aged between 11 and 13 involved. Under clear blue skies 12 teams from Bohally Intermediate, Renwick Primary School and MGC played a series of 30-minute matches on reduced size pitches. Participants boasted various levels of footballing expertise and experience, but judging by the shouts of encouragement and squeals of delight, much fun was had by all.