Waitaki Boys’ High School: 24 (Don Lolo, Dean Fenwick, Kane McLauchlan, Anthony Wetere-Sweet tries; Marc Fox 2 con), King’s High School: 19 (Ben Williams, David van der Byl, Aranui Crofts tries; Mackenzie Haugh 2 con). HT: Kings, 19-12.

The Report

Waitaki Boys’ came back from a halftime deficit of 19-12 to beat King’s 24-19 and maintain its unbeaten record after four rounds of the Highlanders competition.

King’s played with a strong southerly wind at its back in the first spell and led 19-5 after 32 minutes. Wing Aranui Crofts scored after 30 seconds, when Waitaki muffed the kick-off and the ball bounced back into King’s hands.

Flying wing Stephen Butler brought Waitaki Boys’ back into the game just before halftime when he burst up the right flank and Dean Fenwick scored under the bar and the gap was reduced to seven points.

Waitaki made good use of the strong wind in the second spell and banged the ball into the northern corner.

Good work from the forwards created the winning try with only 10 minutes left when Waitaki Boys’ fed the scrum and first five-eighth Kane McLauchlan side-stepped to the left and then to the right, to score under the bar.

Waitaki Boys’ had the superior scrum but King’s dominated the lineout through the efforts of lock Ben Williams who made seven clean takes and also used his strength to score a first-half try.

David Taua, who was aggressive at No 8, and speedy fullback Mackenzie Haugh, with his long punting, was the other King’s players to enhance their reputations.

This fixture is a traditional clash and has only been won three times in the last 15 years by Waitaki.

Acknowledgments: Otago Daily Times