Rugby: Mixed bag for visiting school

With ball in hand Wanganui Collegiate centre Ruslan Casey gets grounded by St Alban's Caleb Whiskin during the sporting exchange with the South African schoolboys on Monday. Photo/Stuart Munro

A visiting South African private college dished it out and also took it during a sporting exchange at Wanganui Collegiate School on Monday.

St Alban's College, a boys school in central Pretoria, arrived for battle in two codes - hockey and rugby.

Collegiate director of sport Barry Touzel said the visitors hammered the hosts on the hockey field, but took a hiding on the rugby paddock.

"They were simply far too good for us on the hockey field beating us by 12-0. In fact, I nearly lost count.

"St Alban's is probably among the best two or three in South African secondary school hockey and they played accordingly," Touzel said yesterday.

"We weren't even close to their class, but we hammered them in rugby 39-14, completely dominating even though they were probably 20kg a man heavier than our boys.

"Two penalties in the first few minutes were converted by (first-five Stephen Perofeta and then an excellent line break try gave us a 20-0 lead within the first 20 minutes."

Touzel said the Collegiate domination came throughgood quality ball from the forwards that the backs made good use of.

"While the whole team played good rugby, our second-five Charlie McCartin did stand out scoring a couple of tries set up by openside flanker Te Aturere Albert.

"Albert made some great cutting runs and, at times, they didn't know where he was going. His off loads were also very good - he had a sublime game."

The sporting exchange came about through Collegiate master Rob van Dort, a St Alban's College old boy.

"This was a first and although we'd love to reciprocate - it's a long way to go," Touzel said.

"It may happen in a few years' time, but that's only speculation at this stage."