11-05-2025
South Otago's cool counts in keeping St Kevin's at bay
South Otago held their composure to edge St Kevin's 36-35 in a tense Southern Schools Rugby Championship game in Balclutha on Saturday.
The game was in the balance for the majority of the 70 minutes.
The home team led 21-7 but St Kevin's scored either side of the break to level the score.
South Otago opened up an eight-point lead with just under 10 minutes remaining, and they had to hang on as the visitors pushed for the win.
St Kevin's vice-captain and openside Sam Fluksa scored with about five minutes to go to create more tension.
But South Otago coach Jason Gilder said his side stayed calm and closed the game out.
"We were just stoked with the composure at the end," he said.
"To be able to hold them out in those last five minutes and get the win was very pleasing."
They kept their structure at both ends of the field and scored some nice tries.
Lock Luka May got stuck into his work. He made some strong carries, cleaned out around the ruck and made some telling tackles.
Openside flanker Noah Saro followed May's lead. He was never too far from the action, while midfielder Callum Leeds ran strongly and helped set up his outsides.
In the other games in the Blue Pool, Central Southland recorded a 31-5 win over Māruawai-Menzies in Edendale, and Waitaki Boys' eased away to beat John McGlashan 2nds 67-5 in Dunedin.
The big guns shone in division 1.
King's crushed Dunstan 69-13 in Alexandra, and Otago Boys' dispatched Southland Boys' 2nds 55-6 at Littlebourne.
Earlier in the week, Southland Boys' cruised to a comfortable 67-19 win over John McGlashan in Dunedin.
In the Maroon Pool, Otago Boys' 2nds clobbered Taieri 57-0 in Mosgiel, Mount Aspiring beat King's 2nds 43-19 in Dunedin and Wakatipu edged Cromwell 34-28 in Queenstown.
