Nelson College has won the Miles Toyota 1st XV rugby premiership for the fourth time in six years after a tough 20-17 win over Christchurch Boys’ High School in Nelson today.
With the scores tied at 17 with just minutes to go it was captain Harry Inch that kicked the decisive penalty goal to win his side the game and send the home fans into a frenzy.
Earlier, it was Nelson that opened the scoring when devastating blind-side flanker Saumaki Saumaki fended off his marker to score. Christchurch hit back with centre Ollie Singleton crossing before right winger Mikey Morrison scored for Nelson five minutes before half time giving the hosts a 12-10 lead at the break.
When Nelson halfback Oliver Gibbons darted over to give his side a seven point lead midway through the second half, it looked like Nelson were in the driver’s seat. But another Singleton try, which was converted by winger Hanroux Wessels meant the scores were tied heading into the game’s final five minutes.
Then up stepped Harry Inch, who slotted the penalty, just his second successful kick of the day, after earlier missing two conversions and a penalty.
He said he felt confident as soon as the referee blew his whistle. “I was a bit rusty off the tee early on in the game, but I was reasonably confident to slot that one.
“I know what it feels like to lose [after Nelson lost last year’s final to Christchurch Boys’] and there's a few of the boys in the team from last year, so we just threw the kitchen sink at it.”
Nelson College coach Jono Phillips says he was delighted for his skipper.
“He's a talisman for us. That's why he stepped up and took that penalty, he didn’t what anyone else to do it.”
For Jono it’s almost the end of an incredible coaching rein at Nelson College, with four premiership titles in six attempts. He said he was happy with how his side matched up to the defending champions.
“We prepared well and we sort of knew what they would bring and they did, they are a wonderful side. My very first final as 1st XV coach was against these guys, and they went up 19 points in the first 11 minutes, so we’ve had some great ding-dong battles with these guys over the years.”
The win means Nelson will host the winner of the Highlanders regional competition next Saturday in Nelson for the right to play against the top North Island high schools for the national title.
“That’s exciting,” says Jono. “We lost here two years ago in the game against a really good John McGlashen [College] side so it’s exciting to have another opportunity to play in that game.”
Scores:
Nelson College 20. Tries: Saumaki Saumaki, Mikey Morrison, Oliver Gibbons. Cons: Harry Inch (1). Pens: Inch (1)
Christchurch Boys’ High School 17. Tries: Ollie Singleton (2). Cons: Hanroux Wessels (2). Pens: Wessels (1).
