It ended in heartbreak for the country club when a knock-on was ruled, spoiling Maheno’s come-from-behind effort, leaving Athies celebrating a second straight win, 40-37.
It was a tight tussle at Whitestone Contracting stadium, as Maheno got on the board first through a Robbie Smith penalty before Athies’ Ratu Logavatu scored a try.
From there, the game was tit-for-tat. Every time one team got a roll-on, the other came back fighting.
Athies took a 19-16 lead into the half, and scored within the first five minutes of the second.
Kingan scored twice for Maheno in the second half, and the ever-reliable Smith was accurate with the boot to keep his side in touch.
Athies back Ryley MacColl stood up, scoring a try of his own and slotting five conversions.
On the back field, Old Boys’ class shone through in the end, to conquer last year’s beaten finalist, Valley, 38-24.
Old Boys were on the board early through a Toni Taufa try, but from there Valley had pretty much all the ball in the first half.
Valley was camped in its 22m for a period, as Old Boys coughed up penalty after penalty.
After Valley tried to make something from a run of lineouts, stopped short by Old Boys pulling down a maul, captain Kelepi Funaki was sent to the bin for constant infringements.
First five Isaac Clunie eventually went over to level the score. Flanker Cameron Rowland scored shortly after, and with a Clunie conversion, Valley led 12-5.
Eventually, Old Boys found a bit of rhythm, as veteran winger Lemi Masoe broke Valley’s defence, making a 30m dash. Logan Wilson’s conversion levelled the scores at 12-12 at the break.
Valley was quick to the breakdown with halfback Jake Matthews recycling the ball out the back with pace. Matthews then picked the ball from a ruck to score himself, Valley taking a 17-5 lead.
On the counterattack, Old Boys second five Tini Feke, continuing his blistering form from last week, sprinted up the middle, dodging Valley’s defence, and put Logan Wilson into space down the side for a try. Wilson converted to level the scores again, 17-17.
Soon enough, Valley was back, producing a massive scrum for No8 Sam Sturgess to score a pushover try, for a 24-17 lead.
It felt like the momentum had swung in Valley’s favour, but Old Boys’ experience shone through. Three quick tries in succession, all converted by Inoke Fisilau, completed the turnaround.
The Kurow-Excelsior game was postponed until Wednesday night due to player unavailability.
Citizens Shield rugby takes a break for Easter.
