CurriNZ Corner -New Zealand Currin Families: Nelson College stun St Bede's From Christchurch

Sunday, 11 August 2013

Nelson College stun St Bede's From Christchurch - Rugby

Nelson College stun St Bede's

Underdogs fight back from 13-0 to win semi

BRENDON EGAN

Last updated 15:50 10/08/2013

DEAN KOZANIC/The Press

Nelson College celebrate their win.

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The 2013 Press Cup secondary schools rugby final will be an all-Tasman affair, after Nelson College stunned St Bede's College 15-13 in their semifinal clash this afternoon.

Nelson will meet Marlborough Boys' in the final at Blenheim's Lansdowne Park next Saturday, after they accounted for Christchurch Boys' High 33-26 in the other semi-final.

Few people would have predicted Nelson College to knock over St Bede's, with the Christchurch school having been unbeaten all season, and not having lost at home in 62 previous games.

Nelson looked in trouble early on, with St Bede's racing out to a 13-0 advantage inside the first 15 minutes. No 8 Sione Lavemai scored from a pick and go after just three mintues, and it appeared Nelson were headed for a long afternoon.

They gradually began to get into their work, and clawed themselves back into the game through a series of penalty goals to second five-eighth Finn Hart-Strawbridge.

After trailing 13-3 at halftime, Nelson College dominated the early exchanges of the second half, with mistakes creeping into St Bede's game, and Nelson having the better of territory and possession.

They feasted off some poor discipline from the St Bede's side and calmly went about their business, slotting kickable penalties whenever their opponents infringed inside their 22.

With seven minutes remaining, Hart-Strawbridge kicked Nelson into their first lead of the game at 15-13, and they started to sniff an upset.

St Bede's had a chance to win the game when Jamayne Isaako lined up a penalty goal late in the game, but his attempt drifted wide.

The home side launched one final assault on the Nelson College line, and had several close dabs, but the visitors held firm to secure a famous victory.

Nelson College 15 (Finn Hart-Strawbridge 5pens) St Bede's College 13 (Sione Lavemai try. Jamayne Isaako con, 2pen) Halftime: 3-13.