LANGER CUP: Depleted St Mary’s College holds on for courageous defeat of Mabel park

LANGER CUP: Despite missing their captain, St Mary’s College has held on for a gutsy defeat of Mabel Park on home soil.

RUGBY LEAGUE: A depleted St Mary’s outfit has held solid to claim its second win of the Langer Cup season.

At home to Mabel Park SHS, they were once again without captain Xavier Va’a, as well as missing Darcy Carswell, Luke Cesari and Zac Brown.

It mattered little, as they led from the 20th minute onwards, running out 12-8 winners to keep in touch with the top four.

St Mary’s had the best of the early running, with Mabel Park’s lack of discipline helping them march the ball up the field.

They weren’t able to capitalise however, with the visitors holding staunchly in defence, including holding De La Salle Va’a out inches from the line.

A Jo Deljanin kick forced a mistake from Mabel Park, and St Mary’s were able to take full advantage, with Coby Timms spectacularly touching down in the corner.

Their kick return saw them start the set inside Mabel territory, and Declan Ryan’s bomb was almost regathered, ultimately escaping the grasp of the chasers.

Mabel Park worked their way down the field, and with their best opportunity of the game, made the most of it with Hikoirangi Paki breaking through the line to score.

With halftime fast approaching, St Mary’s took a huge advantage into the sheds as Harry Schwenke barged his way over under the posts to send his team in front 12-4.

Mabel Park was able to control the early tempo in the second half, and made the home side pay with an early try to get within four points of levelling the scores.

St Mary’s finally got their chance to attack Mabel’s line after Declan Ryan’s kick forced a mistake, but they couldn’t hang onto the ball close to the goal line.

A big Wapu Elara charge earned his side a penalty, but again Mabel Park was able to hold out everything they had thrown at them.

Mabel had one last chance to try and take the lead, but a grubber close to the line was defused by Chad Lebsanft to ice the game for St Mary’s.

ST MARY’S 12 (Coby Timms, Harry Schwenke tries; Chad Lebsanft 2 goals) defeated MABEL PARK 8 (Hikoirangi Paki, N/A tries)