It was going to be ‘‘a big ask’’ but the St Peter’s College 1st XV was up for the challenge.
The team defeated Southland Boys’ Red for the second week running in Rugby Southland’s under-18 development grade final.
The team beat Southland Boys’ 24-12 in the last round-robin game of the competition and on Saturday won 20-19.
The team is coached by Ben Sanson and Ben Miller.
Sanson said the team made a great start to the game.
‘‘We shot out to a 17-0 lead.
‘‘We let them back in at the back end of the half.’’
Southland Boys’ scored just before halftime; from then on, St Peter’s defended desperately.
‘‘They took it to us in the second half and we just couldn’t get the ball back off them.’’
It was a very good game and the kind of game a final should be, he said.
Captain Nicholas Roy (17) had an outstanding game and ‘‘did everything at 100% like he usually does’’.
‘‘He’s the heart and soul of our team.’’
Fullback Dylan Holland (15) also had a good game.
Miller said he was grateful for the sideline support.
‘‘It was out of this world and made it very special for our kids and made a real spectacle of the final. It was quite humbling to think we get the chance to represent all those people.’’
To go through the season unbeaten was very satisfying.
‘‘We made a few goals at the start of the year and through hard work we’ve managed to tick a few of those goals off.’’
Each member of the team had contributed to that success.
‘‘Every week someone else stood up.’’
