Lincoln University Rams premier men’s rugby captain Nic Souchon is philosophical after his side’s loss in the Metro rugby final on Sunday.
They were run down 34-29 by HSOB after establishing a big lead early in the first half.
“That’s finals footy for you,” he said.
“The momentum can swing every which way and it went away from us in the second half. I’m incredibly proud of these boys.”
The Rams roared out to 22-0 in just over a quarter of the game. Old Boys hit back with a try but it came from a charged-down clearing kick rather than compelling play. And Harrison Courtney soon negated that in typical fashion as the Rams laid siege to the Old Boys line.
Replacement back Robbie Polson, one of the best players for Old Boys, scored from a chip-kick 5min from half-time but the men in white were down 12-29 at the break.
Not that they were overly dismayed. They came out pumped in the second half, putting the squeeze on and pretty much keeping it there.
The Rams did make a staunch bid for victory in the dying minutes but things didn’t quite go their way. Then Old Boys were given a penalty 48m out. Centre Lupati Fihaki was given a crack with the boot and took an age to actually make contact with the ball as the clock ticked away to full-time.
When he did kick it the ball sailed between the posts.
The Rams were missing three regular starters, called into the Canterbury squad for a pre-season match the day before.
Lincoln coach Alex Robertson said he was proud of his team’s efforts.
“Who wouldn’t be proud? We had men out but we had to move on.”
- Lincoln has a big representation in the newly-named Canterbury Mitre 10 squad for 2019 with Brett Cameron, Sam Gilbert, Josh McKay, Rameka Poihipi, Ngane Punivai, Cullen Grace, and Ereatara Enari being selected.