Sports exchange costly for Collegiate

Solid WCS lock Josefa Rokotakala is well taken by the Lindisfrane defence during yesterday's 1st XV clash in Whanganui. Photo / Stuart Munro

Wanganui Collegiate School had a day to forget during its sporting exchange with Lindisfarne College yesterday.

The hosts won just two of the seven match-ups dominating the hockey boys colts game 4-nil and convincingly winning the Under-15 rugby XV clash 29-14.

WCS lost the football colts match 11-0, the 2nd XV rugby 27-0, the football 1st X1 5-4 and the 1st X1 hockey boys 3-0.

But perhaps the most painful was the 19-17 loss to the Hawkes Bay college's 1st XV rugby side.

The traditional match-up also doubled as game seven of the Central North Island Secondary School competition both compete in.

WCS led for most of the game, but back-to-back non-kickable penalties after the fulltime whistle cost the home side dearly.

WCS director of rugby Guy Lennox said the home side had led 10-5 for the majority of the game and well into the second half when Lindisfarne scored to take the lead.

"We scored again and it was 17-12 coming up to full time. We got a penalty close to time, but didn't kick it out," Lennox said.

"Then they received back-to-back non-kickable penalties that kept the game rolling well after full time. Unfortunately, that ended with a try to Lindisfarne and a final score of 19-17.

"We had our chances and just didn't take them."

Injury has plagued the WCS 1st XV for most of the season and yesterday at least four or five key players were missing.

First-five and sometimes fullback Cody Hemi is still recovering from a broken jaw received when playing for Steelform Wanganui in the Ranfurly Shield warm-up game against Manawatu Evergreens, while centre Opetini Dryden, second-five Zac Simpson and flanker Angus Taylor were also missing. Rising loose forward star Toby Lennox is also out with a shoulder injury that could require surgery.

Meanwhile, it was the exact opposite for the the Under-15 rugby XV and the colts boys hockey with at least four players pulling double duty yesterday.

The WCS 1st Xv rugby team was sitting sixth in the CNI premiership before yesterday's game, but apart of competition leaders St Peter's College and WCS the other side have played at least one game less.