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Orewa College’s 1st XV team is entering the Harbour Rugby season with a win under its belt after defeating rivals Mahurangi College in the annual Murray Jones Shield pre-season match.
Having been undefeated for the last nine years, Orewa was keen to extend its winning streak against its traditional foes.
Mahurangi started strong and took an early lead with a blindside snipe that caught Orewa napping.
This stung the defenders and they put together some fine backline moves producing three tries to take a halftime lead of 17-12.
After scoring first in the second half and with the wind at their backs, Orewa could have expected to pull away but the visitors mounted a spirited fightback.
The game ended with Mahurangi on the attack looking to square the game up but coming up just short with a final score of 24-17 to Orewa.
“Yet again this fixture has produced a classic contest and both schools are looking forward to meeting again in two weeks as part of the new season’s competition,” Orewa College’s sport coordinator, Craig Ashton, says.
Earlier in the day Orewa’s 2nd XV also defeated Mahurangi in another close game.
The Orewa side featured two sets of twins in their backline with Isaac and Reuben Knight playing inside of Levi and Ice Manukia.
Mahurangi College has joined Orewa in moving up to the 1A grade this season after a stunning victory last year against Kaipara College in the 1B finals.
