King's High School has come up just short of a national touch title.
The school recorded its best finish as it was edged 11-9 by Rotorua Boys’ High School in the senior boys final of the national schools tournament yesterday.
There was little between the sides as the lead see-sawed throughout the match.
But it was a two-point gap Rotorua Boys’ opened midway through the second half that was key.
It scored two quick touchdowns to go 7-5 up, a deficit King’s could not pull back.
From there, the teams traded touchdowns.
But every time King’s got to within one, Rotorua Boys’ responded.
Dylan Pledger was a standout for King’s, showing his acceleration and pace to glide through holes and get in behind the defence.
He set up a handful of tries and was particularly pivotal in the 4-3 halftime lead King’s took.
Earlier, the team beat Palmerston North Boys’ High School 12-5 in its semifinal.
John McGlashan College finished fifth, while Otago Boys’ High School placed eighth.
Columba College finished third in the girls competition, losing its semifinal to eventual winner Hamilton Girls’ High School.
St Hilda’s Collegiate finished fifth.
