GOING WIDE: Wanganui High School captain Cameron Davies looks to spread the ball away from the big Scots College forwards at Cooks Gardens on Saturday. PHOTO/BEVAN CONLEY
GOING WIDE: Wanganui High School captain Cameron Davies looks to spread the ball away from the big Scots College forwards at Cooks Gardens on Saturday. PHOTO/BEVAN CONLEY
Power and pace, which even the representative players who competed before them would envy, was displayed by Wellington's Scots College in their 57-11 disposal of Wanganui High School First XV at Cooks Gardens on Saturday.
Taking the field after the Steelform Wanganui v Hawke's Bay Saracens match, WHS had wantedto pit themselves against one of the country's stronger schools in the Land Rover 1st XV competition.
After reeling from a lightning start where Scots scored in the opening minutes, then led 19-3 at halftime, WHS showed plenty of resolve and closed the gap to 19-11, after first five Mitchell Millar landed two penalties and speedy fullback Daniel Kauika scored a breakout try from a brilliant run and flick pass by centre Blair Osbourne.
However, from there Scots increased the tempo as their giant No8 Alex Fidow, backed up by prop Moala Katoa and second-five Thomas Umaga-Jensen, were able to cut through at will.
Fidow would power over for two tries while providing the impetus for several more with his rampaging bursts, while fullback Connor Garden-Bachop also scored tries in each half.
Winger Alec Cannons could have given some tips to the Wanganui goal kickers, as he landed five from six conversions, including several from out wide.
WHS had tried to hold out desperately in the dying minutes to keep Scots College from reaching the half century, but the Wellington school kept taking quick lineouts and running it back hard for two of their bench players to cross inside the final two minutes.
For the home side, halfback captain Cameron Davies had a good match while the forwards all gave their best against much bigger opposition.
-Scots College 57 (C Garden-Bachop 2, A Fidow 2, J Wilson, H Mexted, J Boswell, S Fox, M Sisson tries; A Cannons 5 con, P Umaga-Jensen con) bt Wanganui High School 11 (D Kauika try, M Millar 2 pen). HT: 19-3.
