Moascar Cup back at CBHS Christchurch

​Christchurch Boys’ High School are the new holders of the Moascar Cup after defeating Nelson College 22-12 on Saturday.
 
Christchurch may boast the best attacking record in the UC Championship scoring 472 points in 11 games, but this was a triumph of defence.
 
The visitors were forced to tackle stoutly for long periods as Nelson threw everything at the defending UC Champions.
 
Nelson kicked for territory initially and mounted a long attack inside the Christchurch 22. Christchurch held firm and when Nelson fumbled just outside their 22 were made to pay when halfback Louie Chapman set up Yoji Yabe in the ninth minute.
 
Christchurch would lead 12-0 at halftime when Ben Lopas scored the second try. Christchurch won a lineout and drove authoritatively before Lopas hit a hole and strode away.

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​On a heavy surface, Nelson dominated possession. No.8 Anton Segner was outstanding in the carry, but often lacked effective support.
 
Nelson dropped the second-half kickoff which almost cost them a try. The first 15 minutes of the second-spell were scoreless until Ollie Lewis kicked a penalty to make it 15-0 to Boys’ High.
 
Nelson emptied the bench in search of greater impact and flanker David Zoharb provided the necessary punch busting through to make it 15-7 with about ten minutes remaining.
 
Nelson again spilled the kickoff and from a five-meter scrum, Christchurch No.8 Corbin Harding ran over untouched. The conversion to Lewis made it 22-7.
 
Nelson had the final say when industrious prop Isaiah Malaulau smashed through the last line of defense.
 
Harri Langworthy, Thomas Schmack, Sam Cadwell, Cam Henderson and Chapman were all excellent for Christchurch. All the forwards tackled strongly while the halfback showed the value of his experience with some great option taking.
 
Nelson defended the Moascar Cup 14 times which is the third longest tenure of any South Island school. Christchurch BHS defended the trophy a record 22 times between 2004 and 2007 while St Bede's College repelled 17 challenges between 2007 and 2009.

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Christchurch are unbeaten in 21 UC Championship matches and are guaranteed to host a semi-final.
 
Nelson are sixth, five points outside the top four, with three matches left. The other schools only have two matches to play. Nelson shortly travels to Christchurch to tackle second placed Christ's College in a postponed fixture.
 
Of the other contenders, St Bede’s are in third on (40 points) and are probably the only side that can challenge Christ’s College (44) for a home semi-final.
 
Lincoln Combined are in fourth (37) and their match this coming week against Nelson College looms as a key contest for them ahead of their fixture with CBHS in the last round in a fortnight.

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