An intercept try early in the second half turned the tide for Christchurch Boys High School in their 23-10 win over King's College of Auckland in the national schools final in Palmerston North yesterday.
Christchurch's national under-19 centre, Tim Bateman, grabbed a ball 10m from his line after a seriesof backline attacks from King's.
Christchurch were behind 10-3 at the break despite pressing strongly. They took over in the second half with ruthless tackling and scored another runaway try when wing Tim Jones took a kick and outsprinted the defenders.
King's had scored their try in the first half by almost the same route.
Classy first five-eighth Colin Slade had a commanding game for Christchurch, as did No 8 Mason Pomare and their frontrow.
Christchurch kept the title they shared with Wesley College last year and held on to the Moascar Cup.
In the third-place playoff, Palmerston North Boys High School scored six tries to five in beating Wesley College 40-34.
