St Peter’s College First XV boys players ‘‘dug deep’’ to book themselves a home final on Saturday.
Playing at home, the team won 24-12 against Southland Boys’ High Red in the last round of the Rugby Southland under›18 development competition.
The team, coached by Ben Sanson and Ben Miller, will also play the final against Southland Boys’ Red.
Sanson said for the first time all season, the team kept the pressure on St Peter’s for the whole game.
‘‘We had to find a way to win and we managed to do that.
‘‘It was a very tough game.’’
The midfield combination of Connor Watkins and Crenshaw Conroy (both 17) played well.
‘‘They’ve been a threat all year against all teams, but particularly last weekend they got us out of trouble quite a few times with some good hard running.
‘‘These two led the team on many raids into the opposition half.’’
Prop Flynn Chamberlain (17) also had a very good game.
‘‘He did everything well.’’
The coaches and players will be strategising this week to come up with a game plan to beat the Reds again, Sanson said.
‘‘We’re going to have tofind something new to bring to the party, else we are going to be on the end of one.
‘‘We’re going to have tobe really on our mettle.’’
Despite being light on numbers, the team had an outstanding season, he said.
‘‘We’ve gone from strength to strength and made statements every week.’’
It was unbeaten in its seven games and had scored 352 points and conceded 87.
Many of the players had improved and made representative teams, he said.
The game would start at noon this Saturday, and he encouraged St Peter’s rugby supporters to come along.
‘‘If we get all the old boys, friends and family it would be fantastic.
‘‘These guys deserve all the support they can get because they’ve worked really hard.’’
