It was a harsh lesson in 80-minute rugby for Wanganui Collegiate 1st XV in New Plymouth on Saturday as their halftime lead was swept away by Francis Douglas Memorial College in a 24-10 defeat.
In their fourth game of the year and first for the Central North Island First XVcompetition, Collegiate had a great start scoring the only try of the opening stanza and adding two kicks to lead 10-0.
But coach Guy Lennox said against a well-conditioned team which has played more than eight games already this year, his boys could not keep the intensity up.
"We were looking good but they finished over the top of us.
"We have to be pleased, they're a very strong school. Their last three wins were against very strong schools."
Francis Douglas scored four second-half tries, converting two, to follow up their 28-13 win over St Patrick's College in Wellington last Wednesday.
Lennox said more work would go into raising fitness levels. The team has a quick turnaround as they face St Paul's Collegiate from Hamilton on Wednesday in their first home game of the season.
