This partnership came about when the team's manager, Brian 'The Lion' Langdon, owner of the most mullet in all Aotearoa, approached Ockham overlord Mark Todd and asked if he could help out his old alma mater.

He may have been aware (and is certainly now) of Mark's tenure as as captain of the then Penrose High 1st XV which also made it to the final of Auckland 1B competition. "We lost 6-3 to Auckland Grammar School," Mark told him. "I scored a try which was disallowed."

In 2020, there was a chance to rewrite history when the OTHC team went all the way through to the Auckland Secondary Schools 1B final. Unfortunately, the gods were not in alignment and the team lost narrowly.

But there's always next season...

Building good young men

“We’re trying to build a tradition with OTHC 1st XV rugby,” says manager Brian. “Of course, you’re representing the school, playing in front of your parents and whānau so you play as hard as you can. But for us, it’s also about what happens afterwards – how you conduct yourself off the field. Play hard for the game but at the after-match – win or lose – it’s about the camaraderie. It’s about meeting new people and developing as young men.”