UK schoolboys too slick and fast

Touring British rugby team Epsom College were just too slick for the local combined teams on Thursday in both the under 16 and under 18 games.

In the first match between the visiting under 16 squad and the combined Takuvaine and Arorangi team, the visitors’ composure lead them to a 12-0 advantage at the half time break in the bruising encounter.

And although the local lads mounted a serious second half comeback and scored a try for their efforts, it wasn’t enough to take out the match.

Local players who stood out in the match were loose forwards Robert Heather Jnr and Levi McKinley, who scored the local team’s try, and inside back Tiaan Mataora.

In the under 18 game of the day, the locals were given a taste of fine English running rugby as Epsom College ran in tries from all over the park.

It was great to see players with agility, skills and pace scoring tries.

Not to be outdone, the local team did try hard all game but lack of ‘go-forward’ and continuity at crucial times let them down.

To put things in perspective though, Epsom College are ranked in the top 20 English rugby schools and also boast current age grade English representatives including big mobile prop Kyle Sinckler and fleet-footed winger-entre Jordan Burns.

Ben Francis (centre) and Tom Flynn (fullback) have also won caps for Scotland and USA schoolboys respectively.

Outstanding for the local under 18 team were loose forward Bradley Heather, utility back George Turaki and energetic halfback Dylan Murray.

Both teams retreated back to a fantastic after-match function held at the Takuvaine rugby clubrooms, complete with team and individual presentations and speeches from team captains.

Congratulations to Takuvaine for being great hosts and to Arorangi for coming to the party with great players.

The touring English team depart our shores today – ka kite, aere ra.