Tournament Week 2026: 1st XI Boys Football
Posted on September 18, 2026
The Macleans College 1st XI Football team recently produced an outstanding week of performances in Wellington, finishing the Malcolm Cowie Tournament as champions.
The team remained unbeaten throughout the competition, overcoming challenging opponents and showing composure under pressure to claim the title.
The tournament began on Monday with a convincing 5-2 victory over Rongotai College. Macleans College followed this with a 3-0 win against Hutt International Boys’ School.
Day two continued in similar fashion, with the team producing another dominant performance to defeat Rathkeale College 5-0 and secure a place in the quarter-finals.
The final group-stage match against St Peter’s School proved to be a much tougher contest. St Peter’s made a fast start, scoring twice to take a 2-0 lead. Jacob Holder (Snell House) gave Macleans College hope just before half-time, pulling a goal back to make it 2-1.
Macleans College came out strongly in the second half, with Lucas Urlich (Te Kanawa) scoring an early equaliser. Two further goals followed to put the team in control. St Peter’s scored again late in the match, but Macleans College held on for a hard-fought 4-3 victory and a perfect group-stage record.
After a well-earned bye on the morning of the third day, the team returned refreshed for their quarter-final against Wellington College Year 11. The first half finished 0-0 after a tightly contested battle. Macleans College were then awarded two penalties in the second half, with Johannes Koesters (Hillary) and Liam Rice (Hillary) both showing excellent composure from the spot to secure a 2-0 victory and a place in the semi-finals.
The semi-final against St Bede’s College proved to be the toughest test of the tournament. With just 10 minutes remaining, Macleans College were trailing 1-0 and needed an equaliser to keep their championship hopes alive. A foul on Moojin Lee (Upham) inside the penalty area gave the team an opportunity from the spot. Liam Rice once again demonstrated his composure, calmly converting the penalty to make it 1-1 and send the match to a penalty shootout.
Macleans College held their nerve in the shootout, with all four penalty takers successfully converting their attempts. Goalkeeper Owen Firth (Hillary) then produced the decisive moment, making a crucial save to send the team through to the grand final.
The final carried extra significance for the nine Year 13 players in the squad, who were representing Macleans College at the tournament for the last time. With the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy, the team faced Mount Maunganui College in the championship match.
The first half was closely contested before Macleans College finally broke the deadlock late in the half. Ryan Billings (Hillary) delivered an excellent ball to Noah Williams (Batten), who calmly finished into the top-left corner to give the team a 1-0 lead.
With the championship within reach, Macleans College continued to work hard in the second half. Keagan Gouws (Mansfield) added a second goal to secure a 2-0 victory and confirm the team as Malcolm Cowie Tournament champions.
After an outstanding week in Wellington, the team returned home with the trophy, having demonstrated skill, determination, resilience and teamwork throughout the tournament.
For the Year 13 players, it was a fitting way to finish their time representing the Macleans College 1st XI, leaving behind a lasting legacy as Malcolm Cowie champions.
