Wednesday 4 September 2024
5A Final
0 vs 13 Auckland Grammar
As we woke to the big day of the final with torrential rain coming down, we knew it was going to be a wet and tight game against the old foe Auckland Grammar. With a good week of training, all the boys passing the pre match weigh-in, and a good warmup the boys were ready to go.
Straight from the kick-off, in the wet weather, King’s looked to control the game by putting Grammar deep in their own territory with a strong kicking game plan. With Matt Cunningham (Year 11, Greenbank) kicking Grammar back into their territory followed by a strong chasing and defensive effort, King’s controlled the territory in the first 15 minutes and were rewarded with a number of penalties. With the forward engine room of Lucas Kidd (Year 11, Selwyn) and George Crawford (Year 12, Peart) applying constant pressure at the set piece and rucks, Grammar was made to work for all possession they were able to get. Unfortunately, even with the pressure, Auckland Grammar managed to hold King’s out and took their opportunity in the 16th minute with a successful penalty of their own to open the scoring 3-0.
The game then was a back-and-forth affair with strong running, rucking and impressive defence from both teams. King’s had a number of chances but with minor handling errors or missed lineout opportunities they were unable to add to the scoreboard. Just before halftime King’s had a player sent to the sin bin for a repeated infringement and Grammar took its chance. With two minutes remaining in the half, Grammar went in under the posts after multiple pick-and-goes and with the conversion King’s went into halftime 10-0 down.
The second half started in a similar fashion to the first with King’s making most of the play with strong running and defence from Max Caughy (Year 11, St John's), Kasey Lewis (Year 11, Greenbank) and CJ Hooker (Year 12, Parnell). However, unfortunately once again King’s were not able to convert this dominance into points due to missed opportunities. At the 13-minute mark Auckland Grammar once again took one of their rare opportunities and added another penalty taking the score to 13-0 with 17 minutes to go. Soon after King’s were dealt another blow with another yellow card.
With 14 men, King’s were not going to lie down and started to open up the play a bit more chasing the try that would get them back into the game. After multiple phases of clean ruck ball near the halfway, Zavier Linstrom (Year 11, Greenbank) picked up and found the gap next to the ruck and ran 45 metres but was unable to beat the last defender and was tackled two metres out from the line. King’s retained the ball from the resulting ruck but Grammar’s defence settled and King’s once again were unable to convert the attack into points.
The game finished with King’s unable to add to the scoreboard with the final score being 13-0 to Auckland Grammar. Congratulations to them for a well-played final.
From the King’s perspective, a champion team needs to do more than just win a title - it's not the colour of the medal around your neck that sets you apart from other teams. The 5A team has shown heart, determination and class all year, and they should be very proud. I know the parents and coaches are.
The coaches, Nik Lewis, Martin Linstrom and Dr Bill Howie are truly grateful for having been part of this team and being able to watch the growth and development of the 5A players and the team throughout the season and to experience finals rugby with this team. Well done boys!!!
6A Final
0 vs 22 Auckland Grammar
It was down to the final game of the season, winner-takes-all, with traditional rivals King’s vs Grammar playing for the 6A title. With perilous weather conditions, it would be a massive forward battle. There was a solid crowd of supporters from both sides cheering on their boys!
The atmosphere was electric, just like the thunder and lightning storms throughout the game, yet both teams took to the field with heads held high and played the game in great spirit.
The first half was a tight and physical encounter, with both teams regularly testing each other's defences. Both teams were playing attacking rugby despite the conditions, and play was going back and forth across the field, so many tactical kicks were exchanged to try and gain a territorial advantage. Despite Kings’ attacking fiercely, Grammar were very strong in defence and at the ruck, turning over the ball and winning penalties. They turned penalties into valuable territory and kept King’s pinned in their half during the second quarter of the game. Eventually, a breakthrough came right at halftime, and Grammar could slip through our defence to score the opening try. End of the first half, 5-0 to Grammar.
With encouraging, supportive and positive words of wisdom from coaches Jason and Dave, King’s took to the field with confidence, this game was still within our grasp. The game continued to be a tight affair as King’s captain, Harry Rutherford (Year 11, School), led by example, consistently making strong ground through the middle. Grammar wasn’t lying down though and were experts at getting bodies over the ball and winning precious rucks to turn defence into attack. With clever territory play kicking into space, Grammar started putting pressure on Kings’ defence, eventually breaking through and scoring a second try to extend their lead to 10 nil.
After this try, Grammar grew in confidence, stepping up their game and applying more and more heat to disrupt King’s. The whole King's side desperately defended and made numerous awesome try-saving tackles. Unfortunately, one tackle was deemed high by the referee and extended to a yellow, which was a tough call, resulting in a penalty try being awarded to Grammar. You do have to admire Grammar’s smart tactical plays to close out the game; a chip over the line and touchdown led to the last try of the game being awarded.
The final score was King’s 0 - 22 AGS.
An extremely tough loss to take on the chin, but the attitude and heart King’s gave to the game showed they deserved their place on the big stage. While this one wasn't to be, the boys can be extremely proud of the contribution every player in the squad made, not just to the game but to the whole season. Even though some players were missed in the knockouts due to weighing out and injuries, everyone was a significant contributor to the success of this wonderful team!
On behalf of all the players, it's been a pleasure and honour to represent King’s 6A. Thank you for the support from the amazing coaches Jason Chandler and Dave Edwards, wonderful manager Teena Tamati and all our parents on the sidelines.
What a season it has been!
Team awards:
Most improved back: Jarel Samasoni (Year 10, Averill)
Most improved forward: Boston Chandler (Year 10, Major)
Back of the year: Hugh Smithies (Year 10, Parnell)
Forward of the year: Henry Main (Year 10, School)
Team player of the year: Ollie Perry (Year 10, Marsden)
Player of the Year was our star leader, Harry Rutherford (Year 11, School)