Nelson College comes up just short

A gallant Nelson College made Hamilton Boys’ High School work hard to win its sixth NZ Secondary Schools 1st XV final in Palmerston North this afternoon.

The Waikato side had the use of the wind to score the opening try but Nelson responded with two cracking efforts to wrest the lead after 20 minutes.

First, close to the goal line, lock Connor Hulme slipped the ball to second five Jimmy West to score and then captain Harry Inch cut loose from inside his own 22 metre line and linked with flying winger Mikey Morrison who outstretched the defence to claim the second.

But a third Hamilton try and two penalties saw the favourites lead 20 to 10 at halftime.

A huge break out of their own saw first five Dallas Rata-Makene put centre Ollie Guerin away to extend the lead to 17 points.

Nelson College fought back though and was twice narrowly denied tries.

First, replacement prop Will Horncastle was held up on the Hamilton goalline and then outstanding loose forward Saumaki Saumaki broke a scrum and thundered towards the line, only to have the ball kicked from his grasp as he was diving to ground it.

They didn’t stop trying with another Mikey Morrison burst getting the forwards field position for prop Samuela Takapu to power through three players for Nelson’s third five pointer.

And that’s how it ended 27-17.

It was Nelson’s best over showing at the Top 4 tournament to finally win a match to make the final.

Sadly defeat also cost the team the Moascar Cup which it won off last year’s national champions Southland Boys’ High School just last month.