Pre-season First XV rugby underway around New Zealand

Pre-season is underway for many leading First XV's. In bright Wellington sunshine today Marlborough Boys' College visited Evans Bay Park to tackle St. Pats Town over four 20-minute quarters with rolling subs.
Marlborough's squad of 25 players for the one-off trip included the two younger brothers of Chiefs prop Atu Moli - Easfe and Lavengamonu.
The first-half was a dull affair with one spectator complaining the teams are "paid per scrum."  
Things brightened up considerably in the second half as both teams found their hands. It was 12-12 heading into the final quarter, but Town's greater forward power eventually told and the hosts prevailed by 29-12.
Lock Jeremiah Tuiatua bullied his way over for two tries and impressed with his bustle. Keelan Whitman was busy in the loose and Boston Hunt energetic at fullback.
Marlborough's tries were scored by Josh Chapman and Jack Shadbolt. Second-five Nigel Satherley in his third season of First XV rugby caused problems for Town and No.8 Jaydn Holdaway looks promising.
Paarl Boys' High School from South Africa sent shockwaves around New Zealand with crushing wins against Gisborne BHS (73-3) and Nelson College (81-12). On Friday the tourists were humbled by UC Championship champions Christchurch Boys' High School (38-36).
Christchurch raced out to a 28-5 halftime lead, which they extended to 35-10 early in the second-half. Paarl mounted a furious comeback and took the lead 36-35. Christchurch rallied and Alex Harford slotted a 30-metre penalty on fulltime to win the game.
Defending national champions Mount Albert Grammar School's build up to the Sanix World Youth Invitational tourney in Japan has started with two hit outs for their 30-man squad. Sacred Heart College was defeated 25-5, but Westlake BHS held them to a 10-10 draw.
De La Salle College beat Central North Island Champions St. Paul's Collegiate 19-16 in a gripping tussle yesterday. De La Salle hang on grimly in the last few minutes despite being reduced to 13 players.
Otago Boys' High School defeated King's College 24-22 in an annual pre-season fixture on April 1 and started the Dunedin Premier Colts competition yesterday with an excellent 22-11 win over Southern.
Wellington College celebrates their 150th Anniversary this year, but haven't made a vintage start to 2017 suffering defeats to Francis Douglas Memorial College and Feilding High School. Wellington have lost the latter contest for the past three years. The final score was 38-29.
Wesley College have started their season with a win accounting for Dilworth School 18-10 last weekend.
Rotorua Boys' High School thumped Auckland Grammar School 28-3 on Saturday.
Hastings Boys' High School's first and second XVs defeated their Kelston Boys' High School opposites yesterday. Hastings won the First XV clash 53-0 and the Second XV fixture 26-5.

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