Wanganui High School 1st XV got one back on the strong Tu Toa Academy with a 24-18 win at home on Saturday.
Having been beaten by just two points earlier in the season, the high school team upset the visitors to book a place in their Manawatu grade final, whichwill be held at FMG Stadium on August 24.
Tu Toa scored out wide in the 15th minute and looked to be in control, until the high school's Taylor Kirkwood grabbed an intercept try out of nowhere, with Sam Malcolm converting, then sending over a penalty kick shortly after.
Tu Toa's pack drove over for their second try, plus adding a three pointer of their own for a 13-10 advantage at the break.
"The halftime talk was to up the pace, put the ball behind their forwards and hit up on their centres and it paid off," said the Wanganui High coach, Darryl Malcolm.
Replacement lock Shequelle McKay helped spoil Tu Toa's lineouts, and the high school took advantage to put on a slick move in which right winger Shayden Pirikikahu-Phillips carved through to score on his opposite wing.
"Three trainings a week pays off against a heavier pack, and showing hearts of lions," said Malcolm.
Hooker Jack Van Bussell led the way as Wanganui High looked to hang on to their lead.
Keanu Puki-kaa, Kayden Shedlock and Villimoni Koroi came off the bench to make an impact and blindside flanker Fagen Lemalie stepped his way through the defence to dot down, with Sam Malcolm converting for 24-13.
Tu Toa grabbed a consolation try in the dying minutes when they ran wide and scored at the corner flag. Darryl Malcolm also said No8 Sam Adams and lock Danyon Barr were worthy of mention.
The high school team next have a co-ed competition game away to Hawera High School tomorrow.
Back from their jaunt to Nelson for the quadrangular tournament, Wanganui Collegiate First XV will have their rescheduled home game against Lindisfarne this Saturday.
After virtual non-stop rugby of twice-a-week games in June/July, followed by their Australian and Nelson tours, coach Guy Lennox said it was good to balance out their remaining five or six matches of the season: "It's not that suicidal stuff we were doing earlier."
Collegiate will play through to their last game, against New Plymouth Boys High, in September.
