Waitaki Boys’ High School reclaimed the Leo O’Malley Trophy with a 34-20 win over St Kevin’s College in the "Blood Match" at Whitestone Contracting Stadium.
Students from all three Oamaru high schools filled the embankments armed with megaphones, face paint and homemade signs.
The hakas brought the intensity levels up just before kickoff, but it took both teams a while to settle in as the opening minutes were riddled with unforced errors.
St Kevin’s drew first blood with a penalty from first five Lachy Neal.
Their lead was short-lived, however, as Waitaki Boys’ hit back through No8 Ned Newlands-Carter a few minutes later.
The game then settled for a period as both sides stood up defensively.
Waitaki Boys’ winger Lian Knoetze dotted down in the corner on the stroke of halftime to give his side a nine-point lead.
Coming out of the sheds, they fended off an energetic start from St Kevin’s before gaining the upper hand.
Marching down the field, Waitaki Boys’ won a penalty 5m out and a well-worked misdirection move off the tap led to Tamaiti-Maru Willie jun barging over .
Not to be left out, fellow prop Harry Monahan also scored from close range.
Feeling the game slipping, St Kevin’s needed a spark, and after winning the ball off their own restart, they got it.
Prop Wade Smith carried hard and was able to free his arms to pop the ball to fullback Kobe Narruhn, who dragged a defender over the line to score.
Blake White added a penalty before Waitaki took command when Billy Wilson spied a gap down the left. He popped it to Ike Newlands-Carter, who threw a basketball pass over the top to Kenny Manaia, who sped away and scored.
St Kevin’s ran in two late tries to soften the blow of defeat, but Waitaki Boys’ walked away with the coveted "Peanut".
"I’m really happy with the way the boys stuck at it — they’re a good bunch of young fellas", Waitaki coach Shane Carter said.
Fronting up defensively was the key as well as playing with width on the attacking end, he said.
Their forwards were physical in contact, but the best player on the paddock was Wilson at halfback. The little maestro was deadly accurate with his passing and cleared it away from the rucks sharply.
It would be wise to keep an eye on Knoetze for the future, as the 14-year-old still has three years left of eligibility.
Blood match
The scores
Waitaki Boys’ High School 34
Ned Newlands-Carter, Lian Knoetze, Tamaiti-Maru Willie jun, Harry Monahan, Kenny Manaia tries; Blake White 3 con, pen.
St Kevin’s College 20
Louie Hose 2, Kobe Narruhn tries; Lachy Neal con, pen.
Halftime: Waitaki 12-3.
