On a fine but windy day at Rotorua Boys' High School the MAGS 1st XV played an indifferent game of very good rugby interspersed with average rugby to win the game against St Bedes who were not used to playing against a team that had the size and intensity of the MAGS team when they were playing well.
In the first half MAGS led 3-0 with a penalty by Albert
Nikoro before St Bedes scored a try to lead 7-3. MAGS then
had a sustained period on attack and after some good phase
play, a blindside pass saw Gafatasi Su'a score a try. From
the restart the ball was collected by the forwards, Pele
Cowley put a kick through that was chased by Milford Keresoma
who, as he contested the ball, ripped it from the St Bedes
halfback and ran away to score the try that was converted by
Matt McGahan. From a rushed MAGS lineout the ball went to
that back and was claimed by the St Bedes captain who ran
unopposed to score a try to make the score 15-14 in favour of
MAGS at halftime.
MAGS began to take control in the second half with further
tries to Louis Devery, Michael Faleafa, and Sean Brookman
with Albert Nikoro converting two of these for MAGS to be
leading 34-14. However, St Bedes had the last say in the game
scoring a try for the final score to be 34-19 in favour of
MAGS.
Final Score MAGS 34 - 19 St Bede's
Sean Brookman was awarded the player of the day by
the SKY TV commentary team.