Nelson College's march continues

Nelson College’s first XV’s unbeaten streak was extended again on Saturday as they posted a convincing performance over Selwyn Combined.

With conditions perfect for running rugby, the Nelson College side were just too good for the visitors in a 45-17 win, while the Waimea Combined Barbarians got their first win of the season, beating Roncalli / Aoraki Combined 45-21.

Despite a tight schedule of games as Nelson College has played three times in the past nine days, there were no signs of fatigue as the home side put on a convincing performance before they started to lose their way late in the game.

They had all of the run of play through the first three-quarters of play, before the tides turned late in the piece, but not before Nelson College had put the game beyond doubt.

Nelson College were dangerous across all areas of the park, with a dominance in the forwards that gave them a strong foundation and a slick backline that often found space.

It took just four minutes for them to get the first points on the board, as they stretched and squeezed the defence before second five-eighth Zyon Forward crossed the line to open the scoring.

Five minutes later and they were in again, with winger Callum Robertson crossing the line as they capitalised on poor discipline with a kick for the corner and a five-metre line out.

A mauling try gave them a large lead, but Selwyn would strike back with a try of their own, getting field position from a penalty before grinding down the defence.

Despite a vocal travelling supporters base from Selwyn, they weren’t able to lift their team as prop Sione Mafi scored on the cusp of half time.

The second half saw much of the same as Nelson College came out all guns blazing and continued to pile on the points.

A yellow card for a reckless high tackle on first-five Harry Inch only compounded the visitor’s problems as they struggled with 14 men and allowed a further two tries.

But their return to 15 saw a change in momentum as the substitutions made by Nelson College struggled to integrate into the game.

The introduction of the new players saw Selwyn start to control territory and possession and they were rewarded with two quick tries to round out the game.

It was a sense of too little too late as Nelson College had already by then secured the win, but it will provide some work ons for the home side as they take a break from the competition next week.

Their next game is another mid-week fixture on Tuesday 20 June, away against Shirley Boys' High School.