Varsity won their Hankin's Shield quarter final match 15 - 10 against HSOB in the 78th minute on Saturday out at Massey University. A game where no side had a successful kick at goal, was decided 3 tries to 2.

Varsity drove and destroyed the ponderous and frankly unfit HSOB side in the first half. Scoring two tries from mauls. One that went 25 metres!!

Varsity went back into it's shell a little in the 2nd half and HSOB got back into the game though a controversial try. They then levelled with about 15 to play.

A break out by Isaac Thompson was finished off by Louis Booth who went over to score the winning try in the 78th minute.

The Varsity team to play HSOB on the 29th July has been named.

Massey 5
Ref: Glenn Whitley
11.00 am 

Imagine the squels of outrageous misfortune should the likes of HSOB or Marist topple one of the big guns tomorrow.

They are the two teams who have virtually earned second lives by re-entering the top echelon through the repecharge gate.

And for the first time in Manawatu there are quarterfinals which, because they are sudden-death knockouts, reward the HSOBs and Marists more than they do the winning sides.

That's where the two top teams deserved their two lives as the original format accorded them. Now, with the rules changed so everyone receives one life, they can't afford an off day tomorrow or their seasons will be down the gurgler.

Varsity and HSOB clash for the first time tomorrow this season. HSOB hasn't beaten Varsity since 2003, but Varsity may be vulnerable because HSOB has size in the backs and forwards and Varsity operatesbest when it has its two rep locks and Josh Bradnock.