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First XV coaches Hamish Cooper (far left) and Paul MacKinnon (far right) with the players leaving this year.
By Ben Donaldson
The Mahurangi College first XV were downed on August 27 in the final minute of the North Harbour 1B Championship final.
The side prevailed 7-5 before the last play of the game in which opponents Westlake Boys scored a try to win 10-7.
“I think we were overpowered by the occasion,” Mahurangi College first XV backs coach Hamish Cooper says.
Mahurangi College first XV head coach Paul MacKinnon says it was a challenging game.
“We were a bit hesitant in the first half and struggled to take advantage of the conditions.”
The team had a strong wind at their backs in the first half, but went in at the break level at 0-0 after Sam Rieff hit the post with a penalty.
Captain Sam Warner says the final was a very different experience to other games, which caused some nerves, making the team force things early on.
“In the second half we executed the game plan almost perfectly,” Paul says.
Hamish believes with a young side the team can learn from the final.
“The boys will come back just as strong, if not better next season,” he says.
“I have loved coaching this team and it’s bittersweet to know it’s all done now. The senior squad has really gelled and given us a lot more confidence in the depth of our college rugby.”
Both coaches agreed the highlight of the season was their earlier 24-15 victory over Westlake in Warkworth, where they say the team carried out the game plan “superbly”.
At the rugby prize giving Max Young was named Most Valuable Player, Jacob Bindon won the Kickers Award, Nathan Dick won the Team Player Award, Tane Pendergrast the Players’ Player Award and Pale Vaotangi Most Improved.
Both Ben MacKinnon and Jacob Bindon took out the Most Valuable Player Award across all grades.
Josh Shirley was given a blazer and framed jersey for reaching a rare milestone of 40 first XV caps.
He is one of seven players who will leave the side this year, including head boy Nathan Dick and captain Sam Warner.
“I’ve really enjoyed being able to lead such an awesome bunch of boys in my last year of school rugby and I think that it’s increased my tactical knowledge and decision-making in the game,” he says.
Paul says the support this season for the first XV was amazing, with hundreds of supporters attending games during the season.
