John McGlashan upset Otago Boys’ 9-7 at a muddy Littlebourne on Saturday to book a home venue for the semifinals.
They will host Otago Boys’ on Saturday, while Southland Boys’ will host King’s in the other Otago Schools Rugby Championship division 1 semifinal.
Southland Boys’ overwhelmed South Otago 101-0, and King’s beat Wakatipu 35-5 in Queenstown.
But it was the battle in the bog that will have raised a few eyebrows.
McGlashan are in rebuilding mode after losing virtually all of last year’s championship team.
They had significantly lower expectations coming into this season. Southland Boys’ still shape as the team to beat, but Johnnies have grown in confidence since their 31-5 win against King’s earlier this month, and Saturday’s tense win over Otago Boys’ is a boost as well.
Coach Ash Barron said his team were on the rise.
"Since beating King’s comfortably, the boys have turned the page," Barron said.
"That gave us a lot of belief."
Max Hore kicked three penalties and controlled play nicely from fullback. First five Liam Barron directed traffic well and blindside flanker Mac Perkins tackled anything that moved in the blue and white hoops.
No 8 Henry Cleaver carried strongly. But it was a complete team effort.
Otago Boys’ scored through winger Mason Lome-Hindle, and William Thode landed a tough conversion to cut the gap to two points, but McGlashan held on to win.
The victory claimed a toll, though.
Halfback Henry Scott picked up a hamstring complaint and prop Serge Meeuws, son of former All Black Kees Meeuws, suffered a shoulder injury.
In division 2, Otago Boys’ 2nds edged Dunstan 35-34 in Alexandra, St Kevin’s beat Mt Aspiring 34-15 in Oamaru, and Waitaki Boys’ dispatched Taieri College 90-15.
The upshot of all that is Otago Boys’ 2nds will host South Otago in the middle four semifinal, while Wakatipu is at home to Waitaki Boys’ in the other.
In the bottom four, Dunstan has home ground advantage against Taieri College and St Kevin’s will host Mt Aspiring.
