Marlborough BC to good for Nayland
Marlborough Express
Marlborough Boys' College turned on a brilliant display of attacking rugby in a 13-try 83-0 demolition of Nayland College at the College front field in Blenheim on Saturday.
However the win was in vain as far as a top four place in their Crusaders Region Press Cup section was concerned. St Thomas of Canterbury clinched fourth place in the division, scoring a bonus point 31-3 win over Waimea College.
Despite heavy conditions on Saturday MBC raced out of the blocks, scoring three brilliant tries, two by impressive wing Mick Boon, in the opening 10 minutes.
Backs and forwards combined superbly as the home side barely made an error during an opening quarter try-scoring blitz at the end of which they led 26-0.
By halftime they were in front 38-0 and despite coach Gray Cornelius and his assistant Martyn Vercoe making several substitutions, kept their foot on the throat to record their most emphatic win of the season showing massive improvements from where they were early season.
Admittedly Nayland College provided pretty limp opposition. They were out-classed, but this was a team which had recently beaten Waimea College who beat MBC in Blenheim last month.
It was a very fine team effort from MBC. Their set-pieces operated well. Halfback Mitchell Rhodes cleared crisply and his sharp running game netted two fine tries. Outside him, 15-year-old Jarome Leonard looked a player of rare promise.
Boon had the key ingredient of pace and a nice step and swerve and on the opposite wing Elliott Harvey also helped himself to two tries as did centre Jack Keown.
In an impressive forward pack, athletic lock Michael Tuipolotu shone, dominating lineouts, running strongly and scoring two tries.
No8 Kurt Schollum was a dominant figure with ball in hand, while lock Corey McCaffrey, prop Atu Moli in the first half, his replacement Bevan Moody and livewire hooker Billy Collins all impressed.
MBC's defence was called upon to withstand a concerted assault during a period in the second half when they were hammered in the penalty count and they responded well.
No8 Misaele Tabua was easily Nayland College's best forward with lock Riley Burrows the other to show out in a very disappointing performance.
The competition now splits. The top four from the northern section joining the top four of the southern section. Points will be carried over. The bottom four teams from the two sections, including MBC, will also play cross-over games which are yet to be confirmed.
Scorers
MBC 83 (Mick Boon 2, Elliot Harvey 2, Jack Keown 2, Mitchell Rhodes 2, Michael Tuipolotu 2, Billy Collins, Jarome Leonard, Daniel Caldwell tries, Kurt Schollum 9 con). Nayland College 0
Half-time: MBC 38-0
Other results: St Bede's College 34 Nelson College 20, Christchurch BHS 44 Burnside HS 3, Timaru BHS 72 Ashburton College 3, Shirley BHS 18 Christ's College 12, Roncalli College 40 Lincoln HS 20.
- The Marlborough Express
