Otago Boys' High School 2nd XV claimed a 51-14 win over a gutsy Taieri College side at Littlebourne today in the Otago Secondary Schools First XV competition.
Taieri started the game well and Otago Boys' coach John Faulks offered them plenty of praise.
"The scoreline was probably flattering to Otago Boys', I thought," he said.
"Taieri played well, it was a good game of footy."
Otago Boys' mixed up their attack by using the pick and go and ball runners in close, then going wide to score.
"When Otago Boys' got fluency in their game and maintained possession they scored some very good tries," Faulks said.
"But they had to work to get them, Taieri were very gutsy."
Taieri opened the scoring, with a try after five minutes, before Otago Boys' were able to hit back with two tries of their own. A second try saw Taieri stay in touch, before a prolonged period of dominance up front from Otago Boys' saw them take the score to 29-12 at the break.
Otago Boys' managed another not long after halftime, before Taieri had their own prolonged period on attack, but were held out by some strong defence. Otago Boys' then came back towards the end to blow the score out.
Faulks said his team still had room to improve, although was impressed with their continuity.
"There was some really good aspects, like the continuity, but there's still some things to work on," he said.
"Ball control at crucial times and as always with school boys, clearing out of your 22 when you get the opportunity.
"Just taking your opportunities, not rushing things, being patient."
In other games Waitaki Boys' High School claimed a big win over South Otago High School 40-20 in Balclutha. The teams entered the round placed second and third on the table, with Waitaki Boys' win allowing them to open up a gap between the two sides.
King's High School beat St Kevin's College 32-21, Dunstan High School beat Kavanagh College 44-20, while competition leaders John McGlashan College had a resounding 101-0 win over Mount Aspiring College.
In the Colts grade, Otago Boys' First XV beat Southland Boys' High School by 35-12, avenging their interschool loss in Dunedin.
