By Adam Blackwell
OBU: 15 MSP: 10
Old Boys University Premiers withstood a big finish from Marist St Pats, holding on to earn an important win on a blustery but dry afternoon at Nairnville Park.
As the clock struck 80-minutes MSP was deep in OBU territory and had scored 10 straight points to bring their deficit within a try. They continued to apply pressure for multiple phases, which no doubt caused some nerves amongst the OBU faithful on the sidelines.
However, they eventually left the ball unprotected after a tackle and OBU replacement halfback Matt Fowler plucked it from the base of the ruck and booted it out, securing a 15-10 win for the Goats.
The scoreboard wasn’t put to much use in the first-half with three points from the boot of OBU first-five Dale Sabbagh on the stroke of halftime the only points scored by either side.
Despite what the low scoring first half might suggest the game was played quite freely, but both sides were guilty of making a few too many mistakes.
Both of OBU’s tries came from number-eight Teariki Ben-Nicholas, who along with Caleb Delany and Shamus Hurley-Langton, was a welcome return to the side after being away with the Hurricanes Hunters in Tokyo last weekend.
The first try came off the back of a scrum 10-meters out after Reece Plumtree was tackled high following a break courtesy of a slick Morgan Poi offload.
OBU and Ben-Nicholas’ second try was also off the back of the scrum, this time from 22-meters out to put OBU up 15-0 after 60-minutes.
Next Saturday OBU travels to Hataitai Park to play Wellington Axemen.