The Mt Aspiring College (MAC) 1st XV rose to the challenge of playing the top ranked team in the Otago Premier Schools competition at Otago Boys High School’s home ground of Littlebourne in Dunedin last Saturday. OBHS claimed a convincing win at 67-15, but MAC could take heart from being the first side this season to get two tries past the Dunedin team.

MAC started out well, with excellent ball retention and multiple phases of accurate passing and strong carries, but OBHS were two tries up 15 minutes into the first half and it was time for the visiting side to get some points on the board.

The opportunity came in the form of a penalty kick after a strong phase on attack in the OBHS half when the home side infringed with offside play. Hooker TJ Lilly notched up the first three points before following up 15 minutes later with a try off the front of the lineout, diving over the ball right in the corner.

OBHS proved strong out wide, utilising their pacey outside backs, and the score sat at 43-8 by half time.

The second half saw another strong push with MAC players working hard over the ball. Second five Ryan Schmack, prop Rhys Hughes and fullback Matthew Wilson continued their strong defensive work, which has been prominent throughout the season. Lock Hamish Robinson kept up the impressive work rate, which has seen him as the number one lineout target this season.

Fast ruck ball with quick accurate passing from halfback Ethan Kerr helped ball retention, and first five Milan Martinovich had the defence scrambling when he carried.

Blind side flanker Ryan Jones scored under the posts after gathering a charge down off an OBHS chip kick bringing the final score to 67-15.

MAC will now look forward to taking on OBHS seconds at home in Wanaka on June 22 at 1pm.

At the conclusion of last Saturday’s game, Tait Scurr became the fourth MAC player to be capped this season, playing his 20th game for the side.