Wanganui Collegiate School's First XV scored a famous win straight out of the Boys Own Annual in a thrilling 23-19 upset over the large St Peter's School from Cambridge on Saturday.
Travelling to Hamilton for their fourth game in 10 days, Collegiate scored two tries inside the final five minutes,with the final five-pointer coming from a desperate kick and chase into St Peter's in-goal off the last play.
Delighted coach Guy Lennox said his team were fortunate to still be in the fight when they were only down 7-3 at halftime after having perhaps 10 per cent of possession and five per cent territory.
"To be fair [St Peter's] probably dominated - the first half was the theory defence wins matches."
Down 19-11 going into the final minutes, it was the tries from flanker Morgan Inness and first-five Steve Perofeta, who added two conversions and penalties, which had them just a bare chance at 19-18.
After turning over St Peter's ball near halfway, Collegiate hacked it ahead and there was a mad scramble to get the pill.
Lennox said a St Peter's player got the first hand to it but knocked it back into the in-goal where Collegiate Charlie McCartin dived through to score the matchwinner.
"Good reward for the courage to hang on," he said.
After five wins on the trot, a jaded Collegiate were now supposed to be on a break but instead on Wednesday will play their rescheduled away game with Feilding High School.
"I really just hope like hell the boy's can get up for one last effort," Lennox said.
