Metro go long way for home semi after College defeat

By Jared Smith

St Johns Whanganui Metro were reminded a home MRU Colts championship semifinal is not theirs by right after a second loss this season to competition leaders College Old Boys RFC on Saturday.

Looking to lock in a Top 2 spot in their penultimate round robin match at Ongley Park, while getting payback for their 48-29 loss in the first round, Metro lost players to injury in a similar fashion to that game – being over-run 36-17.

“The boys played really well first half, up 12-10,” said coach Mark Cosford.

“The wheels fell off second half, they lost focus, had a few injuries.

“It gives them a bit of a dose of reality.”

College ran in several tries, and although Metro scored their third right at the end, it wasn’t enough to bring in a precious bonus point, moving back to third currently on the table on points differential behind the Feilding Yellows, heading into the final round robin games.

Halfback Jerome McCrea and flanker Isaac Jordan added their try-scoring tallies, while winger Ethan Mills dotted down for the first time, with second-five Akiwa Koro adding a conversion.

Metro will be home this Saturday against Te Kawau RFC, another side who beat them in the first round, 34-20.

However, Te Kawau has not picked up a win in the championship group, dipping out on a semifinal chance after a 13-5 loss to Bush SC on Saturday.

Nonetheless, they have been competitive in each game, getting two bonus points from narrow losses to Feilding and College.

Metro will need a good win, while waiting to see how the other game goes as Bush host Feilding at Bush Park, to see if they will secure the other home semifinal spot alongside College.

Should Metro and Feilding remain tied on the points table, under MRU rules, Metro will get priority in the placings due to winning both matches between the sides this season.

Kickoff against Te Kawau is 12.45pm.