• King’s held a handy halftime advantage with first-five Aidan Morgan proving to be a difference maker
• Saint Kentigern College came roaring back in the second spell and fell agonisingly short of a miraculous comeback

King’s College have claimed the 1A title and Moascar Cup at Eden Park this afternoon against a valiant Saint Kentigern side. One year on from their previous excursion to the famous ground where they succumbed to eventual National Champions, St Peter’s College, the Kingsmen were pushed all the way this time around on a largely sun-drenched afternoon in the ‘City of Sails’.

Amidst a cacophony of noise and atmosphere it was King’s first-five Aidan Morgan who led his side to the promised land on the back of an astute and composed display.

It was quite fitting then that the first two tries were of his making. The first, was one of his own and came with Morgan eventually swatting away a would-be St Kent’s defender close to the line to dot down. The next was set-up by Morgan and finished by halfback Dayton Iobu who ran an Aaron Smith-esque support line through the middle of the field for the score.

St Kent’s were able to strike back next and narrow the gap slightly. King’s were unable to control the ball at the back of the field, just outside their own 22-metre line and allowed a loose ball to fall into the arms of lock Lopeti Faifua to rumble over.

Israel Otunuku restored Kings’ advantage soon after courtesy of a well-executed pick and go from only metres out, and with only 20 minutes gone, King’s held the lead 19-5.

A penalty to Aidan Morgan and break-out try to centre Meihana Grindlay were the remaining scores at the half with King’s going into the sheds 29-5 to the good.

Saint Kentigern were out of the blocks first in the second half. A good spell of territory and possession saw No.8 Taine Kolose eventually crash over adjacent to the posts and give the Saints a glimmer of hope.

That glimmer became slightly brighter in the 45^th minute when Saint Kentigern first-five Damien Faiane weaved his way through from 15 metres out to eventually plant the ball down amongst a sea of defenders’ bodies and close the gap to just 12 points.

With 10 minutes to play, Saint Kentigern knew that the comeback was officially on when wing Benji Pauga slid over out wide in the right-hand corner after a scrambling King’s defence was left short.

However, that was where the comeback stopped. King’s were able to hold-out the fast-finishing Saint Kentigern side and claim the honours in what was nail-biting and tense affair.

King’s College 29 (A Morgan, D Iobu, I Otunuku, M Grindlay tries; A Morgan 3 conversions; A Morgan penalty)

Saint Kentigern College 22 (L Faifua, T Kolose, D Faiane, B Pauga tries; J Mataciwa conversion)

Halftime: 29-5