St Kevin’s triumphs in historic rugby rivalry
OAMARU was divided in two halves yesterday as another chapter in a nearly 80year rivalry was written.
The annual interschool between Waitaki Boys’ High School and St Kevin’s College 1st XVs was played in front of a bumper crowd.
More than 2000 Waitakians packed into Whitestone Contracting Stadium to watch the annual fixture.
In stark contrast to last year’s torrential downpour, the weather gods smiled down on Oamaru with blue skies and plenty of sun.
The embankment was filled with a sea of face paint and homemade signs as the crowd serenaded the two teams with fun and creative chants.
Pupils from Waitaki Boys’ and Girls’ were on one side while St Kevin’s pupils filled the other.
Teachers from all three schools and a number of staff were also there.
The backandforth nature of the match gave each side ample opportunity to get loud and roar.
Supporters from Waitaki Boys’ made sure they were heard as they came prepared with a chainsaw and what sounded like an old school megaphone.
Plenty of former pupils of both schools were also present on the other side of the ground and showed their support by wearing school colours and old blazers.
A group of exWaitaki Boys’ pupils proudly displayed a statue that was allegedly taken from St Kevin’s earlier this week before it was confiscated by police.
The game capped Waitaki Week, the annual sports interschool that features different sports being played across the week.
On the field, St Kevin’s won the match 3228 to claim the Leo O'Malley Trophy.