Eastern Courier:
To battle through a winter code season unbeaten is a rare and special accomplishment. To do it in Auckland’s highly competitive rugby First XV arena makes the achievement even more unique.
Botany Downs Secondary College, acknowledged as a high-performing secondary school in many fields, is only 14 years old and to have its First XV ready to contest the world’s toughest college rugby competition next year is a reflection of the high standards it sets.
It also has a rugby benchmark example to draw inspiration and influence from just down the road, at Saint Kentigern College in Pakuranga, who have dominated the 1A grade for the past decade and won that competition five times in the past seven years.
It was a victorious day for East Auckland at Eden Park finals on August 26, with Saint Kentigern beating Sacred Heart College 26-19 in the 1A grade season-decider, and in the curtainraiser Botany Downs Secondary defeating One Tree Hill College in a nail-biting 1B grade Championship final 18-15.