Rugby: WHS hold on to salvage narrow win - June 2016

NO WAY THROUGH: Metro first-five and former WHS student Hareangi Meihana takes on WHS tackler Sheldon Pakinga-Manhire.

Whanganui High School 1st XV victorious in the first Whanganui derby of the McDonald's Manawatu Colts competition on Saturday.

Taking on St Johns Club Wanganui Metro Colts at the school grounds, WHS edged the match 26-24.

The two sides had already sealed a place in the Top 6 phase of the competition but this match was a chance for local bragging rights.

It was exhibition rugby, too - a fast-running game and a duel of the backlines.

Long periods of possession reaped points for both sides but perhaps a slightly more desperate defensive effort from WHS made the difference.

It started differently, though, with Metro fullback Te Rangatira Waitokia cleaning up loose ball to coast through the home side's defences to open the scoring in the first few minutes.

But from there WHS dominated the first half - racking up 19 points in a 20-minute stretch.

Boult had been threatening and got his side's first try on the back of multiple phases for WHS.

Minutes later, Ayzak Bennett plucked the ball from the sky for an intercept try as Metro attempted to move it wide.

It wasn't until Boult had his second in the 23rd minute that Metro began to wrestle back some control, working their way into handy positions on several occasions.

The back end of the first half was a key period with Metro seeking some sort of parity by the break. 

Instead, WHS managed to shut down the visitors' attack early and win enough turnover ball to maintain a 14-point lead at halftime.

Both teams had proven equals in terms of on-field play but Metro needed that to be reflected on the scoreboard.

Reward finally came when No8 Corbin Warren charged over for the visitors in the 50th minute to spark a rally.

As the game entered the final quarter, Metro had WHS pegged on their line and won a scrum against the feed.

Having just come on the field, John Iro snatched the ball to score from close range and narrowed the gap to two, setting a conclusion worthy of a derby.

But it was the man of the first half who sealed the match for the schoolboys as Boult completed his hat-trick with about 10 minutes to go.

Laurence Weber's 75th-minute try put Metro one scoring play away from snatching the win but WHS were able to hold on.


(*) Last Reviewed: Not yet reviewed.

This post is over a year old. Some of the information this contains may be outdated.

Please email the office if you think this information requires review.