The 1st XV played its first game in the Super 8 in wintry conditions on Saturday. Due to the inclement conditions through the week, the game was transferred to Arena Manawatu and this contributed to a willing fixture between two home developed teams that have a lot of mutual respect for each other.
The visitors opened the scoring with a well taken penalty before we replied with one of our own. We had managed a couple of excellent breaks through some strong running from James Stratton and Wesley Veikoso but unfortunately were unable to finish these opportunities off, allowing Gisborne back into the game. Their efforts at the breakdown in particular combined with our inconsistency in getting past the ball were slowing our ruck ball down and they got some momentum of the back of it. They scored the first try of the game from a well worked lineout drive to take a 10-3 lead half way through the first half before we started to play with more patience that got us into the right parts of the field, finishing the half with another penalty and then a converted try to Angus Morton – 13-10 up at the half.
The second half started positively for us but we were unable to put any points on. Gisborne absorbed the pressure then started working its way back into the game using its big forwards in the attacking 22. This low risk high percentage game was playing big dividends with three tries coming directly from it and with fifteen minutes to go they were out to a 29-13 lead. The team at this start threw caution to the wind and started playing the attacking rugby that has been the hallmark of their play over the last few weeks. Gisborne remained resolute in their defence and as the scoreboard pressure mounted we became guilty of making untimely errors in critical parts of the field. However we finished strongly and to our credit we scored two converted tries, the last as the final act of the game, to make the final score line a 27-29 loss. The team was left reviewing the effectiveness of their approach in the final quarter of the game and lamenting the fact we didn’t attempt it earlier.
We now have two weeks off to regroup and refocus before we face the resurgent Hastings Boys’ team who will be one the front runners nationally this season.
Points Scorers:
Tries: Angus Morton, James Stratto, Ariki Mullen
Conversions: Stewart Cruden, Leighton Ralph, Sean Pape
Penalties: Stewart Cruden 2
Click on link to view pictures Gisborne BHS pics
