WCS half back Jack Chrystal prepares to feed the scrum during the annual winter interschool exchange with Francis Douglas Memorial College in New Plymouth on Wednesday. Photo / Supplied
Whanganui Collegiate School came away with substantial wins in the First XV rugby and First XI hockey clashes, but fell short in football and lower grade rugby divisions during the annual winter interschool exchange with Francis Douglas Memorial College on Wednesday.
The First XV rugby match doubled as a CNI
(Central North Island First XV) round won convincingly by WCS 24-15. Collegiate also dominated the First XI hockey winning 7-1. However, WCS did not fare so well in the football losing the First XI match 2-0 and the colts 2-1. The Under 15 rugby team floundered losing 33-5, while to Second XV lost 43-nil.
Early morning wet gave way to a good day in New Plymouth by the time the First XV match kicked off on the FDMC number 1 field at noon. With a strengthening wind WCS won the toss and played into the breeze in the first half.
FDMC used the wind to their advantage and attempted to play the game in the WCS half. They were first to score through a penalty. Both packs of forwards were uncompromising with both sets of backs holding onto the ball and going out wide at every opportunity.
Both teams scored tries in the first half, FDMC converting theirs with the WCS try coming through a forward movement (Te Ana Proffit - No 8) out wide – unconverted. The teams went into half time with FDMC holding a slender 10-5 lead.
Slowly the WCS team started to dominate in the second half, but found a resolute and defiant FDMC team on defence. Excellent midfield running by locks Logan Kingi and front row forward Konradd Newland kept the pressure on the defence and strong runs by captain and 10, Shaun O' Leary and midfielders Waqa Waqaiece and William Johnston.
