Mike Morrison runs off with Morrison Cup

How appropriate Nelson College sprint star Mike Morrison should be awarded the Morrison Cup last night.

It is presented to the senior athlete of the year and “Mikey” was certainly that, winning the school’s sprint double – the 100 and 200 metres.

He also achieved the feat last year so became just the third athlete in Nelson College history to go back-to-back and claim the Majoribanks Shield which dates back to 1898.

The Year 13 flier was also one of the stand-outs in the First XV, which reached the final of the National Secondary Schools Championship in Palmerston North for the first time this year.

Earlier in the season he had helped his side qualify for the Top 4 tournament with a stunning solo try against Southland Boy’s High School to win the Moascar Cup, the symbol of secondary school supremacy.

His side step and speed, from inside his own half that day, left the visitors gasping.
Mike couldn’t be on hand to accept the Morrison Cup as he moved to Australia after the third term to join a Sydney rugby club with a strong sevens programme.  However he was still awarded the cup to mark his sporting excellence at Nelson College.

His First XV teammate and captain, Harry Inch, was also honoured for his inspirational efforts throughout the rugby season.  The hard-charging first five was presented with the Phillip MacDonald Memorial Award as the MVP, most valuable player, in the Crusaders school competition.

Harry is heading to Lincoln University next year, one of several of the Nelson College team moving to Canterbury as they continue their rugby pathway through the Crusaders Academy.