After two narrow losses in the opening games of the Manawatu colts club competition, the Wanganui High School 1st XV have climbed into touching distance of the top four.
With three wins from five, they sit two points outside the semis spots. The season began with tight losses to Lintonand Massey White before a win over Kia Toa by default. Since then, they have gone on a scoring spree, hammering Feilding Colts 75-7 and Massey Blue 27-0.
Apart from the Manawatu colts competition, the team are gearing up for a crack at the National 1st XV championship. They will face the second-ranked Wellington school for the right to play the top Super 8 side from the Hurricanes region.
"It gives us the chance to play some decent rugby sides," director of rugby and deputy principal Chris Friedel said.
"We play with a lot of structure but, sometimes, when we play a lot of the school teams, there's a tendency to lose that."
Friedel said he had put several names forward for the Hurricanes' under-18 squad.
WHS take a break from club competition this weekend and play a friendly against Massey White at home. They also have the derby against Wanganui Collegiate on July 29, as well as inter-school matches against Hutt Valley High and a touring English side in August.
