Last second intercept sinks Nelson College

Nelson College's unbeaten run in the Crusaders Championship came to an end in the cruellest of circumstances this afternoon.

Up 17-13 and in possession with time all but up on the clock, Marlborough Boys College winger Cooper Roberts snatched an intercept and set off.

Nic Sauira came screaming across in cover, but Roberts had too much gas and went in under the sticks to claim a dramatic victory.

Roberts says he wasn't sure he had the speed when he saw the goal line 80 metres in front of him

"It was just instincts really," he said after scoring the match-winner.

"I'm speechless right now, the boys put in so much hard work and to get an upset like that is bloody good."

Nelson College's Will Thornalley had a superb performance at halfback but says that was just about the worst way to lose a game.

"Pretty gutted, it was a great fight by them. We will bounce back and come into Waimea Combined next week stronger."

It was a brutal yet sloppy encounter in round five of the Miles Toyota Championship with both sides guilty of a number of handling errors.

The hosts would suffer the first casualty as prop EJ Ifopo left the field with what appeared to be a dislocated shoulder.

Nelson's more powerful pack began to assert its dominance and the inevitable Baleisomosomo try came as the sustained pressure proved too much for the visitors.

A brilliant chip and chase by Thornalley set Nelson hot on attack but again the final execution was poor.

Marlborough took advantage of the missed opportunities and squared the leger with its first try.

Hugh Robinson had the chance to take the lead with a penalty on the siren but was just wide of the mark as the sides went to the break at 7-all.

Nelson was dealt another blow early in the second as powerhouse number eight Jacob Neha-Manihera also succumbed to a shoulder injury.

Reegan Lawton reclaimed the lead for Nelson with his first penalty but Robinson replied with two more of his own for a 13-10 advantage.

Netani looked to have sealed the win for Nelson as the hulking Fijian monstered his way over for a second.

However, as the clock ticked down, the opportunist Roberts was waiting to strike and break Nelson hearts.

After a slight juggle, Roberts managed to control the ball and showed incredible determination to get to the line.

Though they still sit third after the loss, most teams have a game in hand which could see Nelson slip out of the top four by the end of the weekend.

Next week sees the side in another local derby against Waimea Combined in Richmond.

Scorers:

Marlborough 20 (McLeod, Cooper, tries, Robinson 2 cons, 2 pens)

Nelson 17 (Baleisomosomo 2, tries, Lawton 2 con, 1 pens)