This was the first of six games that the 1st XI will play to qualify for the Secondary Schools National Tournament at the end of August. The team travelled to Queenstown to take on the Wakatipu 1st XI last weekend.

The game started out sluggish with King's playing the ball around the back and a square pass cut out by their striker led to the first goal of the game 1-0 Wakatipu. King's started building into the game until a deflection which led to an own goal and now with King’s 2-0 down wanting to get something out of the game. The half time whistle finally blew.

A good half time talk was needed and Cam McPhail provided that. Second half rolls around and the intensity has been lifted, with a corner whipped in by Hugh Jack which hit off his knee into the far post by Danny Moore. A much needed goal, making it 2-1. 

We knew a second was coming and a good team press led to a bad pass back by Wakatipu that missed their keeper and a second goal has revived this game for us. With about 20 minutes to go we looked like scoring a third. Before this, Ryan Hawker goes storming down with intent delivering a wonderful ball into the box only for him to get an injury from a tackle. As he is being looked after, Anton Schafmayer, the super- sub, comes on for Ryan adding another assist to Hugh from a corner with a well-placed header into the left side of the goal; 3-2 up and the win is in sight. 

We continue to look for a fourth goal to secure the win. With play very much keeping Wakatipu in their own half for the majority of the second half we deserved another goal. With about 30 seconds left of play Jack Caldwell decides to lace one as the goalkeeper is off his line. Somehow it has made its way towards the goal and the keeper has gone to catch it above his head but fumbled it into the goal. This gave Jack a goal with his first shot of the game. They kicked off and in added time they had their last attack which was well defended in keeping with the entire second half. 

A deserved 4-2 win after a much better second half performance. Going home with three points and a good start to the season. 

Congratulations to those players who made their King's 1st XI debuts: Adam Dunlop, Max Poeschel, Zak Chisholm, Quill Orth, Ryan Foster, Sam Mitchell, Anton Schafmayer and Quinn Mair.  

Report by Ben Wood