Nelson College a class above

An in-form Nelson College first XV were too good for St Bede’s College, posting a convincing 32-17 win.

While in Waimea, the combined barbarians squad started their season with a tough loss to Rangiora High School, 36-17.

In the first game played on Nelson College’s newly upgraded front field, both teams came to play as they looked to play expansive rugby with conditions perfect for the backs to shine.

Nelson College would open the scoring for the home fans as flanker Saumaki Saumaki burst through the defensive line and raced away for a try under the posts.

St Bede’s would answer back with great interplay and a delayed pass, putting the man in space to get their first points on the board with an unconverted try.

Nelson College would add to their lead with a try to Callum Robertson off the set piece, before Bede’s dragged themselves back into the game.

Wave after wave of pick and goes edged them closer and closer to the line before they finally crashed over to make it 14-12 to the home side going into the break.

Nelson College were unlucky not to have built on their score to end the first 35 minutes of play, with white-line fever plaguing their early attacks as mistakes started to cost them.

Fortunately for the home side, they were a class above the visitors and weren’t strongly punished for their errors.

The second half saw them dominate territory and possession, but the Bede’s defence kept them in the game.

Despite a barrage of attacks, they were able to hold firm, particularly against the cross-kick ball of first five-eighth Harry Inch, who attempted the flashy move multiple times under penalty advantage multiple times to little success.

With the game a rematch of last year’s final, it was billed to be an exciting game of footy, but the home side was just a step ahead of the visitors.

They would add to their lead with a penalty conversion from Zyon Ford, before a lapse in concentration tied the game up with a big overlap on the outside for St Bede’s after an intercept against the run of play.

A yellow card to St Bede’s hooker Junior Harris signalled the end of St Bede’s success as they failed to kick on against a ruthless and persistent Nelson College attack.

They were camped in the attacking half for almost the entirety of the second half and were unlucky not to have walked away with even more of a convincing win.

Further tries to halfback Oliver Gibbons, diving over the ruck to dot the ball down, and Sami Makisi-Moimoi and Oliver Kirk sealed the win for Nelson College, as they capitalised on the tired St Bede’s defence.

The referee’s final whistle a welcome relief for the visiting side as they all collapsed to the ground in exhaustion, having weathered such a ferocious offence.

Nelson College coach Jono Philips says the result was a great way to salute all the hard work put into upgrading the field over the summer.

He was proud of the way his team performed, but there were always things to work on as they have a big away game against Christchurch Boys College next weekend.

“We left a lot of points out there, not finishing it off.

“Our problem in the first half was we kept giving it to them with mistakes.”

Jono was impressed with the way the team played together, with lock Liam McKenzie having a stand-out performance.

“It was his best game in our jersey.

“This is such a tight competition and last week showed that. The accuracy required in this year’s competition is a different level again.”

Nelson College captain Dane Leppin says he thought the team played well, especially through the second half.

“The plan was to play territory, and we kept it down in their half.”

Dane says their focus now turns to next weekend’s game as they look to remain unbeaten.

“It’s never easy games. They could go either way, and it depends who turns up on the day.”