The Billy Goats are back on track in the Swindale Shield.
After last week’s hiccup in Wainuiomata, Old Boys-University put Avalon to the sword in an emphatic 40-12 win at Fraser Park.
Both sides played an expansive game but it was OBU who were able to execute with much more accuracy, resulting in the five-tries-to-two victory.
The bonus point win sees the Goats retain third spot in a congested Swindale Shield table, with the victory being earned mainly in the opening half.
Wing Tai Neli opened the scoring, getting on the end of a Jared Verney grubber kick before a pair of Dale Sabbagh penalty goals extended OBU’s lead out to 11-0 after 15 minutes.
Some fast, continuous play spanning across several phases saw Neli cross the whitewash again, shortly before he made another break to set up his inside, Maile Koloto, who did well to finish OBU’s third try of the afternoon.
Avalon’s Aumua brothers – Chris and Sefo – combined in broken play to put the hosts on the scoreboard, making it 26-5 at the break.
OBU’s dominance at scrum time paid off shortly into the second forty when the pack won a penalty try, though Avalon’s Dylan Reece scored just moments after the ensuing kick off to provide an immediate reply.
It was fairly scrappy rugby from that point on, though Neli’s day wasn’t over as he scooted down the right wing, beating several defenders en route to the try line, rounding out a successful outing for the Goats.
OBU host their first home game of the season next weekend when they take on the Upper Hutt Rams, in what will be the opening round for many of the club’s senior teams.
Earlier in the day, the Premier Reserves won their match against Avalon, scoring a try in the final play of the game to steal the win.