The King's First XV booked a place in the 1A semi-finals with a narrow 22-20 victory over St Peter’s College in 'The Cage' on Saturday.
 St Peter's started strongly and was rewarded with an early try in the right hand corner. King's struck back 10 minutes later as Carlos Basham set up Blair Rush to score, Simon Hickey added the conversion for King’s to go out to a 7-5 lead.

Both sides attacked vigorously but it was SPC to score next as King's spilled the ball after a sustained period on attack and the St Peter's right wing, Paltridge, showed his blistering pace as he veered left and then straightened on an amazing 90m run to the line. Captain Bryan Hall converted to put St Peter’s out to a 12-7 lead.

King's were rewarded with 2 further Simon Hickey penalties, the last on the stroke of halftime resulting in King’s going into the break leading 13-12.
 The second half began at a frenetic pace. Simon Hickey goaled again to take the lead out to 16-12. However, Bryan Hall replied soon after 16-15. Winger Paltridge was put in the sin bin for a late tackle soon after and Hickey goaled again 19-15. This the spurred St Peter's on and after a series of raids on the King's line, first five Mitchell Lam went over to score however the conversion missed and with only 10 minutes to go St Peter’s held a slender  20-19 lead. In the final nail-biting moments and King’s on attack a high tackle led to an advantage to King’s, Simon Healy had a drop goal hit the post.

The referee, then still playing advantage awarded King’s the penalty that Simon Hickey converted for a final score line of 22-20. On a day when it was difficult to single out players for mention it must be said that Andrew Jones, Blair Rush and Simon Hickey were outstanding.


The team now face St Kentigern College in the final pool game over at St Kentigern this Saturday.

Perry Cunningham

Director of Sport