Old Boys University put a slow opening half behind them on Saturday, scoring 33 second-half points on their way to a 40-29 victory over the Wellington Axemen.
The referee’s whistle was a regular sound at Nairnville Park, particularly in the opening stanza, leading so a stop-start forty minutes though it was OBU who opened the scoring in the 13th minute when flanker Cody Quin crossed the chalk following a Paddy Carter break.
A penalty goal and a try to Wellington centre Ollie Sapsford just before the half had the Axemen leading 10-7 at the break but Agustin Escalona made sure OBU would start the second spell in positive fashion, burrowing his way over to get the Goats back in front.
Less than 10 minutes later, Dale Sabbagh made a break as he straightened off a scrum before linking up with Nathan Blundell to make OBU’s lead 21-10.
A further two tries to Matt Fowler and Quin gave OBU a bit of breathing room at 35-10, though in letting their foot off the pedal a tad, the Goats allowed Wellington to mount a comeback, scoring two tries in as many minutes.
Any chance of a comeback was eliminated when Tane Te Aho drove his way over the line, though the Axemen, to their credit, rounded out the game by scoring their bonus point try through number 8 Mike Smith.
It was again a win built off the strong set piece play of OBU, being particularly dominant in the scrums, and flanker Taine Plumtree had a few impressive runs while lingering on the wing.
With Marist St Pat’s handing Hutt Old Boys Marist their first loss of the season today, OBU now trail HOBM by just two points on the ladder thanks to today’s bonus-point win.
The two sides meet in two weeks’ time in what will be a hugely important Swindale Shield match, but next up for OBU is Johnsonville. That game is next Saturday at 2.45pm at Helston Park.