Monday 12 August 2024
First XV 42 vs 22 Mount Albert Grammar School
The First XV finished their 1A campaign in emphatic fashion with a 42-22 win over Mount Albert Grammar School (MAGS) at King’s College on Saturday.
The team ran in six tries, all of which were converted by halfback Marco Miln (Year 12, Selwyn), as they played with a dangerous combination of pace and precision.
For the second week in a row, the team’s depth was tested with lock Jacob Carter (Year 12, School) added to a long injury list that included a collection of first-choice players such as captain Flynn Hamilton-Muller (Year 13, Averill), Sione Manuopangai (Year 12, Peart), Harrison Martin (Year 13, Selwyn), and TJ Anae-Paila (Year 12, School).
King’s opened the scoring inside the first 10 minutes with a try to hooker Charlie Burn (Year 12, School) and flanker Johan Schaumkell (Year 12, School) also grabbed an early five-pointer, but it was rocky going at times, as mistakes proved costly for King’s, and the visitors were able to capitalise.
MAGS were highly competitive, and when they added a third try on the stroke of halftime, they took a 14-17 lead to the break.
Whatever King’s coach Ian Robinson said to the team at halftime certainly had an impact because the First XV took advantage of playing with the wind at their backs in the second spell.
Schaumkell, who has been one of the team’s most consistent performers this year, got across for his second in the 43rd minute and when MAGS scored again shortly after to take a 21-22 lead, it set up an interesting final 20 minutes.
But Kahu Cotterill (Year 13, School), Joseph Fatuvalu (Year 12, Averill), and Calvin Harris-Tavita (Year 11, Parnell) all added tries as King’s finished strongly to claim the spoils.
Miln was at the heart of most of the attack and regularly sparked the team with the ball in hand, while second-five Saia Manu ran hard throughout the contest, which marked fullback Ryan Young’s (Year 12, Parnell) cap game.
While the bonus-point win was the result the team was looking for, they could not force their way into the 1A playoffs as they finished the season in sixth, although they were only one point off third place on the ladder, indicating the close nature of the competition.
“It was a great game, a good advertisement for schoolboy rugby to win 42-22 and just see some of the outstanding individual performances,” Robinson said after the match. “I’m really, really proud of this week because we made it about our families and what we set out to do this year was to make our [families] proud and I think the boys today – how they competed and played hard – did that.”
With their 1A commitments finished, the team’s next assignment is an independent schools tournament that will be held at St Paul’s Collegiate beginning on the weekend of 31 August.
Tries: Johan Schaumkell (2), Charlie Burn, Kahu Cotterill, Joseph Fatuvalu, Calvin Harris-Tavita
Conversions: Marco Miln (6)
Second XV 41 vs 5 St Paul's College
King’s College Second XV ran in a tidy tally of seven tries in a free-flowing match against St Paul's College on Saturday. The backs were treated to great front-foot ball by a hard-working and determined forward pack, who created the solid platform from which they launched attack after attack. Wide-ranging lock Christian Collins (Year 12, Major) lead by example with strong carries and consistent line breaks, rewarded with a try early in the second half of the game. Johnny-on-the-spot prop Rodney Winiata (Year 11, Parnell) had earlier closed off the first half with a try of his own by crashing over the line on the end of a quick pass from a halfback Ruka Smythe (Year 11, Parnell), who confused him for the first five.
In parts, St Paul’s College managed to create some enterprising play centred mainly around a trio of three giant forwards. Unfortunately, a decent portion of their possession was kicked away deep into the steady hands of in-form fullback Juleo Tauu (Year 13, St John’s), who consistently ran the ball right back at them. Tauu scored the match's opening try from broken play, which was converted by first five eight Felix Spary (Year 11, Selwyn), who kicked a conversion rate of 50% for the match. While St Paul’s replied with an early try of their own, they could not cross our line after that, which was held out by an outstanding defensive effort put in by the boys throughout the match.
Centre Spencer Capper (Year 12, Parnell) and winger Johnny Wilson (Year 11, Parnell) scored two exceptional tries a piece, demonstrating fancy footwork and exceptional pace. Capper played a great all-round game, distributing equally and playing well with a ball in hand. Wilson created something from nothing in the dying minutes of the match, beating the defence with sheer speed over 90 metres to score the final points of the game in the left corner. A satisfying and well-deserved win for the boys, 41-5.
A big thank you to the parents of our Second XV players who hosted an after-match lunch for the players, coaches and management in the pavilion. An amazing spread of food enjoyed by all.
Tries: Johnny Wilson (2), Juleo Tauu, Spencer Capper, Rodney Winiata, Christian Collins
Conversions: Juleo Tauu (3)
1R Maroon 27 vs 0 Mount Albert Grammar School
We made it very clear to the boys, particularly the Year 13 boys, that, depending on the results of the final two rounds of matches, this may have been the final match we would play at home this season. Next week we are away to Grammar and then, it is on to the semi-finals, where we have reserved ourselves a playoff spot but not looking likely to be at home…
Mount Albert Grammar School (MAGS) were sitting at the bottom of the table, but I reminded the boys before the game that we were not to take them lightly and that they would throw everything into the match. This proved to be the case and despite having the majority of possession and field position in the first half, we could not finish off loads of scoring opportunities that were created. We were inaccurate and lacked execution.
We did, however, score one try to halfback – Dom Lunjevich (Year 13, Averill) to go into the break, leading 5-nil. The second half was much more clinical. We created many more scoring opportunities and scored tries on four more occasions to Jackson Brown (Year 13, Peart), Sacha Foenander (Year 13, School), Captain Nick Withers (Year 13, School), and replacement loose forward Tommy Farag (Year 12, School). Evan Nathan-Patuawa (Year 12, School), who came on as halfback at halftime, kicked one conversion, and we ended the match – winning 27-nil.
Our defence was strong and MAGS never really looked like scoring. We are still carrying several injuries in the squad and only had 20 fit players yesterday. Next week, we travel to Mt Eden to play undefeated and top-of-the-table – Auckland Grammar School in the final round-robin match.
1R Gold 12 vs 24 Auckland Grammar
The game was played under sunny skies against an unbeaten Grammar on Field Number 3. For the first 20 minutes of the game, it was all Grammar, although King's defence held firm until King's were penalised for offside. Grammar took a quick tap, and their forwards pushed their way over for a converted try; Grammar up 7-nil.
After the 1st try was scored, King's were starting to settle into the game, and after some slick passing from the backs, Malcolm Barrow (Year 11, School) scored an unconverted try in the corner. Grammar ahead 7-5. Grammar and King's were going blow for blow until one tackle was missed right on halftime and Grammar scored a try in the corner, unconverted, Grammar up 12-5 at halftime.
The second half was similar to the first, with both teams making their tackles and no line breaks until a wide King's pass failed to find its target. Grammar scooped up the ball and scored under the posts and converts. Grammar 17-5. King's quickly replied with good forward work, and Jimmy Berry (Year 12, Parnell) scored after outstanding passing. Dan Chitty (Year 12, School) converts Grammar 17-12. Unfortunately, straight after that, Oliver Kittle (Year 12, Parnell) copped a heavy tackle, banging his head and failed to continue. Five minutes later, Chitty went down with a broken clavicle, and while King's were struggling to adjust to losing our halfback and first five, Grammar scored again out wide, with the final score being 24-12.
Feedback from the sidelines was it was an outstanding game to watch.
All the very best to our boys that got injured.
5A 27 vs 24 Saint Peter's College
With two games to go in the regular season, the 5A team looked at this game versus St Peter’s as another chance to build towards the semi-finals in 2 weeks. The game kicked off with King’s playing into the slight wind. King’s looked to dominate early through strong running, providing clean ruck ball and positional kicking, leading to a lineout 10 metres from the St Peter’s try line. From the resulting lineout win, driving maul and runs off the ruck, Harry Edgar (Year 11, School) drove over in the 8th minute to open the scoring. 5-nil to King’s.
The following 15 minutes saw strong defence from St Peter’s as King’s continued to put on pressure. At the 27-minute mark, a break from halfway close to the ruck by Sam Coulter (Year 11, School) opened up the St Peter’s defence. He then found Finn Driscoll (Year 11, Parnell) on the inside, who cantered under the posts. The try was converted, bringing the score to 12-nil to King’s.
Straight from the kickoff, Kings were back down in the St Peter’s half, putting the pressure on again. From an awarded penalty and a kick to touch, the King’s lineout provided the base for the try to Max Caughey (Year 11, St John’s) as he scored from a planned move at the front; 17-nil to King’s with 3 minutes to go in the first half.
This try seemed to jolt St Peter’s into action. While King’s dominated the lineout all day, St Peter’s forward pack was strong and provided a staunch test for the King’s scrum. King’s held its own at scrum time, but around the field at ruck times, St Peter’s was challenging the quality of ball to the King’s backs. With the last play of the first half, St Peter’s forwards scored a strong try from a set of pick-and-go’s close to the line, finishing the half 17-5 to King's.
The second half was a back-and-forward affair, with St Peter’s getting the best of King’s, outscoring them 3 tries to 2, with the first coming only 2 minutes into the second half. 17-10 to King's.
King’s were up and down in the second stanza, doing some tremendous positional work and finishing with tries to Finn Jones (Year 11, Parnell) at the 13th-minute mark and 7 minutes later by James Shaw (Year 11, School), but also giving away two more converted tries to St Peter’s making the game closer than it needed to be. With the last St Peter’s try and conversion with 4 minutes to go and the score now 27-24 to King's, it was a tense last few minutes.
King’s held on for the win, but with St Peter’s outscoring King’s in the final 36 minutes of the game by 24 to 10, the team has some work to do in the coming week as we head into next week's decided against Sacred Heart on who will have a home semi-final the following week.
Tries: Harry Edgar, Finn Driscoll, Max Caughey, Finn Jones, James Shaw
Conversions: Matt Cunningham
6A 12 vs 5 Saint Peter's College
The team were excited and determined to put in a good performance in their second to last round robin game under lights on a Friday night at Coach Jason Chandler's home ground at Ponsonby Rugby Club. With a few injuries and illnesses suffered during the week, there was a bit of reshuffling of positions for this crucial game.
Kick-off was just before sundown and the conditions were dry but slippery with dew on the ground. St Peter’s were hot on the attack right from the start, pinning King’s down inside their own 22 for much of the first quarter. Eventually, all their pressure was rewarded; after multiple phases, St Peter’s created an overlap and scored in the corner for the first try of the game.
The slippery conditions in the game became a real forward battle, with King’s keeping it tight and simple, going straight up the middle. The forwards began to punch holes in St Peter's defence and were rewarded with a try to Oscar Erikson (Year 9, School). The try was well converted from right in the corner by Liam Parker (Year 10, Parnell).
Half-time: King’s 7 - 5 St Peter’s.
The second half was very much similar to the first, with little opportunity out wide as both teams kept it tight and direct through the forwards. It was a scrappy affair throughout the second half as the referee continually blew the whistle with both sides infringing, and it was difficult for either side to get any real rhythm. Parker did start to control the game well from the first five, and the King’s forwards were punching strong one-off runs and making good gains up the middle. The team started to take control and grind St Peter's down.
Eventually, after continued strong forward drives, King’s turned pressure into points with Harry Rutherford (Year 11, School) breaking through the defensive line and scoring the decisive try right on full time. The try was unconverted, and the referee blew the full-time whistle.
Final score: King’s 12 – 5 St Peter’s
It was a tough battle in tricky conditions and good to grind out the win and stay in second position on the table with one round to go. Post-game, the coaches had arranged for both teams to go to the Ponsonby Clubrooms, where there were speeches from the coaches, and each team captain spoke and named the opposition players of the day. It was a great way to finish the evening.
Next week, we head to Sacred Heart College to try and overturn the loss we had to them earlier in the season and secure a home semi-final game.
Forward of the day: Jack Long (Year 11, Selwyn)
Back of the day: Liam Parker (Year 10, Parnell)
Written by: Ollie Perry (Year 10, Marsden)
U15A 21 vs 5 De La Salle College
Another glorious Saturday morning in Otahuhu saw the King's U15As in action on the Number 2 Field against local rivals De La Salle College (DLS). The lads knew what to expect and weren't disappointed; DLS ran straight and hard, tackled hard and straight from the outset, and spent a significant amount of time during the game, battering the King's try line, but were repelled on all but one occasion.
The opening exchanges were a little scrappy, with both teams making some fundamental errors. However, the general flow of play was in King's favour and when DLS had possession, our defence was solid and we competed effectively at the breakdown. Confidence in our scrum was growing and our lineout provided a stream of good ball! It took 14 minutes for the deadlock to be broken through sustained pressure from the forwards, the combination of multiple phases, good service from the half-backs and a wonderfully incisive run from Ollie Anderson (Year 10, Greenbank), creating a two-on-one for Robbie Dunn (Year 10, Marsden) to finish with some serious pace and grace. Cale Ngatai (Year 10, Parnell) added the conversion and the game was up and away!
DLS responded with more heavy running and rigorous breakdown work, but King's absorbed most of the pressure and it was only in the 24th minute that the visitors looked like getting on the scoreboard. But for a try-saving tackle by Anderson, the scores could well have been levelled.
DLS continued to apply pressure and there were a nervous few minutes of try-line defending by the King's forwards, but a turnover eventually came and the ball was moved swiftly into the hands of the flying full back and Anderson needed no second invitation to pin his ears back and weave his way to the opposite end of the field for a fine score (once again converted by Ngatai).
Half Time: King's led: 14 - 0
The messages at half-time were to keep doing what we were doing. Not to take the foot off the throttle. To stay accurate. To finish the job.
DLS came out hard at the restart and drove into King's territory, signalling their intent. King's stood up, absorbed the DLS thrust and set a solid defensive line. After only 3 minutes, King's spotted an opportunity from a penalty deep in their own territory and backed themselves with crisp handling to get the ball to the ubiquitous danger man, Anderson, who was to glide through a gap and power upfield for his second try. Ricoh Wilson (Year 10, Greenbank) converted it to 21 - 0.
What followed was a sustained period of DLS pressure. Time and time again they entered the King's 22 and time and time again, they were shut out. After 26 minutes, they finally broke a tiring King's defence and collected a consolation try. King's responded in kind and the remaining time was played out in the DLS twenty-two, but with no further scores, the ref blew time.
King's had shown real fortitude. Strength of both body and mind was needed to achieve this result, and, once again, it showed that they possibly warranted a higher position on the table... But it is what it is and we are where we are. We cannot turn back the clock.
Wesley College at home on Saturday... See you there!
U15R 5 vs 17 Auckland Grammar
In a match that saw the King's U15R dominate both territory and possession, the final scoreline of 17-5 in favour of Auckland Grammar B U15R doesn’t quite reflect the balance of play. Captained by Remy O'Neill (Year 9, Averill), King's played with determination and heart, controlling over 80% of the game in the opposition's half, but unfortunately, they were unable to convert their dominance into points.
King's took control of the game from the opening whistle, pinning Auckland Grammar in their own half with relentless pressure. For the first 18 minutes, Grammar struggled to break free from the stranglehold that King's had on the game. Despite the continuous attacks and territorial advantage, King's could not find a way through a resilient Grammar defence. Against the run of play, Grammar scored the first try in the 20th minute. The conversion was successful, leaving King's trailing 7-nil at halftime despite their clear dominance.
The second half began much like the first, with King's camped in the Grammar half, pushing for an equaliser. However, another try from Grammar in the 39th minute extended their lead to 12-nil. King's responded well, applying intense pressure and nearly closing the gap when James Cunningham (Year 9, Greenbank) crossed the try line. Unfortunately, this effort was disallowed, much to the King's supporters and players' frustration.
Shortly after, Grammar capitalised on another rare opportunity, scoring their third and final try in the 43rd minute to take the score to 17-nil. Despite the setback, King's refused to give up. The team continued to press forward with big tackles and powerful runs, showing tremendous spirit.
In the final minute of the game, Edward Cormack (Year 9, Averill) made a spectacular breakaway run, evading several defenders to finally get King's on the scoreboard with a well-deserved try. The match ended 17-5, with King's walking off the pitch knowing they had given everything, even if the scoreline didn’t reflect their efforts.
Throughout the game, King's played with intensity and control, with the result being influenced by factors beyond their control, but their performance spoke volumes. Despite these challenges, the team showed remarkable resilience and sportsmanship, a testament to Captain O'Neill's leadership and the entire squad's dedication. With one game left in the season, King's will undoubtedly look to rebuild from this defeat and finish the season with the win they deserve.
U14A 0 vs 34 Kelston Boys' High School
It was a tough encounter with the top-of-the-table team. Kelston scored in the first two minutes, but King’s defended manfully to keep the score to nil-5 at halftime.
The second half was also even apart from on the scoreboard, where Kelston scored every time they entered the King’s 22. Five more tries were conceded and the final score was nil-34. Special commendation to Zentyler Hatcher (Year 10, Peart) in the forwards and captain fantastic Mana’ariki Kea-Cameron (Year 9, Selwyn) in the backs.