RICKY WILSON/STUFF
Marlborough Boys' College prop Peter Vakaloa celebrates scoring a a vital try just before halftime.
A second half surge earned the Marlborough Boys' College First XV rugby side a chance to end their season with some silverware.
On Saturday the Falcons booked a berth in the University of Canterbury championship bowl final with a 20-12 victory over Lincoln Combined in Blenheim.
MBC held a slender 10-7 lead at halftime, despite being outplayed for much of the first 35 minutes, then added a second half try, conversion and penalty to forge a eight-point lead which they defended to the final whistle.
RICKY WILSON/STUFF
Vailua Kaloni tries to push his way clear of the Lincoln defence.
The Falcons' win, over a side they recently lost 12-10 to, ensures they will be playing on the final day of the season. On Saturday they will host St Bede's, who downed Shirley BHS 36-33 in Christchurch, on the MBC front field to decide the winner of the UC Championship bowl, and effectively ninth and 10th positions in the competition.
Keen to avoid the prospect of another long bus trip south, MBC knew the first part of that equation was to tip over a gutsy side who had got the better of them two weeks ago.
For much of the first half that seemed a tall order. Although MBC struck first with a Keelan Murrell penalty, the first of a four-from-four display from the tee by the fullback, their well-organised rivals always seemed more likely to score.
RICKY WILSON/STUFF
MBC loosie Josh Godsiff on the burst.
That it took until the 30th minute for that to happen was a credit to MBC's scrambling defence as the match turned into an arm wrestle in midfield. Lincoln winger Tamati Thomson became the first tryscorer when he scooted over after an incisive build-up featuring impressive midfielder Wil Gualter and first five Josh Davidson. Centre Brett Gillan added the conversion and it seemed the visitors would take a well-earned lead into the break.
However their own endeavour was their downfall. Attempting to move the ball out of their 22 a short inside pass fell into the hands of MBC prop Peter Vakaloa who gleefully rumbled 20m to dot down. Murrell's conversion gave the Falcons a 10-7 edge at oranges, but the home side were under no illusions that they needed a better second half effort.
And they got it. When first five Liam Duncan left the field just before the break with injury, skipper Jack Shadbolt moved into the main distributor's role with Jayden Lister coming on at halfback. The reshuffle, and a more cohesive forward effort, saw MBC enjoy longer periods of dominance. They were rewarded 10 minutes after halftime when Murrell booted his second penalty, but Lincoln stormed back with a try to prop Cameron Jordan after a series of pick-and-goes. The conversion missed, leaving MBC holding a tenuous 13-12 lead, and the game in the balance.
The decisive play came with 10 minutes to play, right winger Ethan Jones carving through the Lincoln backline before feeding the side's best finisher, midfielder Nigel Satherley, who dashed 35m to the line. Murrell's conversion was vital and he made no mistake.
Despite attacking to the final whistle Lincoln, led around the park by loosies Robin Enosi and Ben Kahu, came up short.
MBC were again well served by hard-grafting flankers Matt Patterson and Mitchell Boyce, hooker Aiden Gane, Shadbolt, Satherley who picked up a couple of outstanding turnovers, and Murrell.
Coach Gray Cornelius said poor option-taking and lack of urgency in the first half had made it hard for his side. "Peter Vakaloa's try just before halftime seemed to spark us though. We needed that."
At a glance
Marlborough Boys' College 20 (Peter Vakalo, Nigel Satherley tries, Keelan Murrell 2 con, 2 pen) Lincoln Combined 12 (Tamati Thomson, Cameron Jordan tries, Brett Gillan con). HT: 10-7 MBC.
The UC Championship final will be contested by Timaru BHS, who downed Christ's College 24-10, and Christchurch BHS who beat Nelson College 40-34. The second-tier Plate final will be between Waimea Combined, who overcame St Andrew's College 57-14, and St Thomas of Canterbury, who got the better of Rangiora HS 27-21.