A lot to be enthusiastic about

03 May 2017

There was palpable tension in the air when the College 1st XV was awarded a penalty in the final minute of the game. Score and the Moascar Cup would come to College for the first time …

The match, vs Nelson College and held in Nelson on Saturday 29 April, went right to the wire – but, unfortunately, that penalty sailed wide and College were beaten 22–21.

The game was the first competition match for 2017 and, although disappointed by the loss against a very strong Nelson side, MiC Rugby Stephen Dods says the team is looking forward to the season ahead. “Rugby is in a good space at College, with outstanding coaches, an excellent coaching programme, and a fantastic crop of boys. We have a lot to be enthusiastic about.”

Stephen says the match demonstrated the speed and agility of the team’s backs and the size and power of its forwards, with stand-out performances from Lachie Gunsen, Jason Embling, Kaveni Balenacagi, Nic Murray, Kurtis Weeks and Isaiah Punivai.

The Moascar Cup is one of the most coveted trophies in 1st XV rugby. It dates back to the end of the First World War, when some British, New Zealand and Australian soldiers, camped at Moascar in Egypt, organised a rugby competition as they waited to be demobilised. The tournament was won by the Kiwis and they brought the original cup back to New Zealand. It was presented to the NZ Rugby Football Union on the proviso that it be used as a challenge trophy for secondary schools.

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