On Saturday our 1st XV came up against our neighbours, Tangaroa College, in good conditions at Sancta Maria. With only 17 available players for the game the depth of the squad was always going to be tested against a physical team from Tangaroa.
The first half was a close and exciting spectacle with Tangaroa scoring a converted try to open the scoring. However, the boys rallied and late in the half with good field position and a number of threats close to the Tangaroa try line, our 1st five Joshua McCarthy spotted a gap in the Tangaroa defensive line to dash over for a try. The defensive effort by the boys in the 1st half was outstanding with the highlight being winger Angelo Mendoza, in the number 11 jersey, making some try saving tackles. The score at the break 5-7 to Tangaroa College.
Tangaroa College were clearly surprised by the effort of our boys and after the break they showed more urgency and brought on several subs with fresh legs. Sancta Maria stayed in the game for 50 minutes but the loss of another couple of key players to injury saw the score blowout in the last 20 minutes with Tangaroa College scoring several tries to finish the game 5-59 winners.
The coaches were pleased with the resilience shown by the boys under the circumstances and acknowledged the efforts of a number of players including Dima Nesterenko who had his best game, Tom Devonshire, who was outstanding at lineout time, and Traydyn Rameka who lead from the front. Our Player of the Day award went to Angelo Mendoza for a strong all-round game in attack and particularly on defence.
