TBHS get double but big prize may elude
There was double delight for the Timaru Boys’ High School first XV on their trip to Nelson.
The team beat Waimea Combined 31-11 on Saturday and followed up with a last gasp 30-26 victory over Nelson College on Tuesday.
It was the first time TBHS has beaten Nelson College in Nelson in the UC Championship.
Before the game the team was buoyed by a message of good luck from old boy and new All Black Cullen Grace, after sending him a video of a congratulatory haka.
The two wins, however, have not been enough to lift TBHS into the championship’s top eight. The team, with a five-win seven-loss record, is still four points adrift of Nelson College with a round left.
TBHS face third placed St Bedes College in Christchurch on Saturday and to sneak into the top eight it needs an upset win and hope Nelson College do not earn any competition points against top-of-the-table St Andrews College.
Wing Max Aitken was the hero against Nelson College, scoring with time up on the clock to snatch a comeback win after being behind 21-15 at halftime.
Several forwards impressed including captain George Mulder,
hooker Ben Bartlett, blindside David Edh and prop Bede Fisher.
On Saturday, Roncalli-Aoraki Combined went down 26-5 to Marlborough Boys’ College.
The combined side were unlucky not to convert first half pressure into points which cost them and battled into the wind in the second.
First five Hayden Kerr played very well as did loose forward Connor Foley Smith and TK Wakaili.
Prop Angus Jensen also impressed on his return from injury.
Roncalli Combined have a tough final round robin game against championship co-leaders Christchurch Boys’ High School.