The forced four-month layoff certainly showed this past Saturday as St Andrew’s College took on Graeme College on Graeme’s Somerset Field. The home side was certainly up for the challenge and made the game into a physical, tight encounter, with the St Andrew’s College XV intimately maintaining their unbeaten run with a come from behind 21-15 win.
St Andrew’s College opened the scoring with a well-worked try to flyhalf Sam Francis, which was converted to give College a 7-0 lead. The next twenty-five minutes went without further addition to the score as neither side was able to fully take control of the game, both missing scoring opportunities. Graeme College then converted a penalty to narrow the gap before St Andrew’s College made full use of a mistake at the kick-off to put Lilitha Lubengu in for a try, and take a 14-3 lead into the half-time break.
The second half was again a tight affair, with Graeme making the best use of their chances, scoring two well-worked tries to take a 15-14 lead with not much time left on the clock.
A good finish by the St Andrew’s College winger Nicholas Jones in the corner, however saw College regain the lead, which they managed to hold on to for the remainder of the game, despite huge pressure coming from the home side
One can certainly expect another good matchup in two weeks when these sides meet again.
In the second team match, Graeme College 2nds beat St Andrew’s 2nds 31 – 12.