PRESS CUP FINAL 1ST XV RUGBY REPORT Shaken, Not Stirred: MBC Press Cup Champions For The First Time. Posted on August 17, 2013 by Adam Julian Marlborough Boys’ College: 15 (TC Campbell, Atu Moli tries; Mitchell Smith 1 con, 1 pen) Nelson College: 11 (Reece Fuller try, Mitchell Hunt 2 pen) The Report In harsh wind and driving rain, Marlborough Boys’ College has created history at Landsowne Park in Blenheim today. For the first time in the school’s history they are Press Cup Champions, hanging on to defeat Nelson College, 15-11. With three minutes to go, Nelson’s halfback Reece Fuller muscled his way over the line for a try to reduce the deficit to four points and create a wild finish. Nelson first-five Mitchell Hunt lined up the conversion, handy to the posts, but the wind, or maybe one of the several small earthquakes that struck during the game, knocked the ball of the tee. Hunt had his subsequent drop kick charged down and Nelson needed to score a try to win. From the restart, MBC dispatched the ball over the dead ball line, gifting Nelson a centre field scrum. Nelson fumbled, and then MBC fumbled, before Nelson surrendered the ball again and MBC halfback Curtis Pedersen-Line scrambled the ball to touch, 10 meters out from halfway, to commence senses of euphoria and desolation. Neither team used the wind effectively. Nelson enjoyed its considerable force in the first half, but the MBC forwards showed great attrition and discipline to win the ruck and maul count by 85-31. Nelson opened the scoring when Finn Hart-Strawbridge kicked a penalty in the 14th minute, but otherwise they were deprived of possession and conceded the first try in the 29th minute. After sustained bustle from the MBC forwards, First-Five TC Campbell sold a dummy and ferreted through a rare hole to run 15 meters and score under the posts, Mitchell Smith converted for a 7-3 MBC lead. MBC lost the kick-off and Hart-Strawbridge was able to kick a second penalty in the 32nd minute; 7-6 at halftime. MBC opened the scoring in the second spell when Smith kicked a penalty in the 41st minute. MBC captain Atu Moli was an inspiration figure. He carried the ball with gusto, tackled with controlled venom and cleared bodies at the ruck all day. With a sniff of the tryline, Moli was never going to be stopped! Following a series of vigorous pick and goes, Moli scored outwide in the 50th minute to make it 15-6. Nelson appeared to be defeated at this point, however they showed tremendous character to dominate the last twenty minutes. Prop Miro Mitchell, Hooker Brendan Asomua-Goodman and Number 8 Te Puoho Stephens were huge as they ensured a steady supply of quick ruck ball. Mitchell lost the ball two meters short of the line in the 60th minute. In the 61st minute Nelson was awarded a penalty, right in front of the posts, ten meters out. They turned down the shot for goal, went blindside and lost the ball. It was a key moment in the game as Nelson finally converted their pressure into a try with three minutes to go. Nelson finishes runners up in the Press Cup for the fifth time. Marlborough are worthy champions. Their forward effort, into the wind was especially, was outstanding. Other individuals to shine on a great day for the school were Bevan Moody (1), Cody Weir (6), Sekope Lopeti (8) and Pedersen-Line.
Posted on: Sat, 17 Aug 2013 20:10:13 +0000