Last minute try disappoints Scots College

Kelston Boys' High School celebrate their back-to-back victory in the Condor Sevens this afternoon (photo by Condor Sevens Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/condorsevens?fref=ts )

A last minute try by Kelston Boys' High School sealed yet another national sevens victory over Scots College in Auckland this afternoon.

The 19-12 victory came 30 seconds from the final match hooter which threatened to go into over time.

Edge of the seat tension dominated the final since the first whistle as there was a long period of non-scoring play at Kelston's home ground.

That was broken however, as Scots College's Peter Umaga-Jesen scored in the corner but was almost denied as the Kelston defence threatened.

TJ Va'a wasn't able to convert from the touchline.

Kelston bounced back with a brilliant 50 metre burst by Faitoatoa Faitoatoa who was ankle tapped close to the line but managed to regain his feet to score which locked the scoring up.

The hard work by the Scots College backs set up Va'a with a try in an if you can do it, I can approach. The try was thanks to several cut out passes which allowed Va'a to sneak through the gap.

The scores then leveled again as Jovesa Matakasa scored a great try after bursting through the gap on halfway with a classic left hand fend against the defence to run away for the score to be 12-12.

Kelston refused to go into extra time which is what they got. Nathaniel Apu busted through the defence to cross the line, but it came without ease as a Scots College player tried to get under the ball to hold it up. Referee Angus Mabey consulted with his in-goal assistant referee and eventually the try was awarded in dramatic circumstances.

The full time whistle went and their reserves, coach and supporters flooded the ground in celebration and Scots College knew they were in with a chance. After the celebrations, Kelston shared a prayer in the centre of the field.

Several players from the final two teams were named in the tournament team (listed below).

In the girls final, Hamilton Girls' High School smashed New Plymouth Girls' High School 34-5.

Hamilton showed dominance all through the match, Tenika Willison scored a hat-trick of tries.

Wellington East Girls' College were beaten in the Bowl final 36-0 to South Otago High School.

Boys tournament team:

Blake Hohaia (Mt Albert Grammar School)
Eli Vole (Scot’s College)*
Elia Elia (St Thomas of Canterbury College)
Faitatoa Faitatoa (Kelston BHS)
Jack Goodhue (Mt Albert Grammar School)
Jone Naikabula (Kelston BHS)
Malo Tuitama (Scot’s College)*
Mitchell Hunt (Nelson College)?
Nathaniel Apa (Kelston BHS)?
Roland Alaiasa (Kelston BHS)
Varani Komaisavai (Scot’s College)*
Vilimoni Koroi (Wanganui HS)

* Wellington players

Girls' tournament team:

Amy Cokayne (Feilding HS)
Anastasia Sekene (Avondale College)
Ariana Hira-Herangi (Hamilton GHS)
Keilamarita Pouri-Lane (Motueka HS)
Kiritapu Demant (Mahurangi College)
Michaela Blyde (New Plymouth GHS)
Morgan Clark (Motueka HS)
Nikau Teddy (Opotiki College)
Samara Hollows (South Otago HS)
Te Awatea Whitiora-Te Uira (Hamilton GHS)
Tenika Willison (Hamilton GHS)
Terina Te Tamaki (Hamilton GHS) ?

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