DUNSTAN looks like it might get what it wanted.The team set itself the goal of getting promoted to division one of the Otago Schools Rugby Championship and it is one win away from making that happen.
Dunstan edged Mount Aspiring 18-15 in a tense game in Wanaka on Saturday to keep alive its unblemished record this season.
Dunstan has four wins from four games, but there was drama at the end of the game.
Mount Aspiring scored a try in the dying stages, and a conversion would have put it ahead 17-15.
But no-one brought out the kicking tee, so the kicker opted for a drop goal but missed from a very handy spot.
Dunstan got back in the strike zone and Samuel Waitoa nailed a wobbly drop goal during injury time to clinch the win.
Lock Raff Love scored two tries and had an impressive outing. Waitoa clunked the winner and led the team superbly from first five.
Blindside Charlie Shaw was omnipresent at the breakdown, while No8 Sam Chapman made some punishing runs.
Dunstan coach Roger Hill had mixed feelings about being on the cusp of reaching its season goal.
"Our goal was to get into the top six, but when you look at who we will be playing against, it gets real tough," he said.
"But we are willing to give it a nudge."
Otago Boys’ 2nds beat Taieri 17-7 at Opoho in the other division two game on Saturday, while South Otago beat Wakatipu 26-19 in Clutha on Friday.
John McGlashan remains unbeaten in division one. It held off King’s to win 14-8 in bleak conditions at King’s High School.
Johnnies’ pack bashed its way over for two converted tries in the first half.
King’s had a strong wind behind it in the second spell and dominated territory. But the home team was repelled by some stiff defence. Winger Joel Cook nabbed an intercept try, and King’s had some opportunities near the end but could not convert.
Otago Boys’ dispatched St Kevin’s 54-0 in Dunedin, and Southland Boys’ was too strong for Waitaki Boys’, winning 49-0 in Invercargill in the other division one game.
Adrian Seconi
