National Condors Secondary Schools 7’s Tournament
The National Condors Secondary Schools 7’s tournament was held at Sacred Heart Boys’
College in Auckland. This year the amount of teams competing was increased to
32. We were in placed into Pool B (the pool of death).
DAY 1
Day 1 consisted of the three pool games.
Game 1 – Tauranga Boys’ College
The boys started their campaign slowly with some poor decision making. This had a critical impact on the outcome going down 21 – 7. Tauranga looked strong and in control but were gifted this win by our boys.
Try - Ethan Helu-Makasini
Conversion – Stu Cruden
Game 2 – Hastings Boys’ High School
Hastings were ranked 2nd after making the final in 2015. They were skilled and dominant. Our boys play improved but we were beaten by a better team. Score – 33 – 0.
Game 3 – Rangitoto College
Rangitoto were a big strong looking team but our boys came to play. This game was a must win to make it through to the Bowl division. The boys showed some real grit and used the width really well to create three great scoring opportunities. Score 21 – 0.
Tries – Matene Ruawai, Stu Cruden, Tyler Laubscher
Conversions – Stu Cruden x 3
DAY 2
Day 2 involved the play-off games with every game a must win.
Game 1 (QF) – Aorere College
Recently making the co-ed top four, we knew Aorere were big, skilled and dangerous. They enjoyed and looked for the contact. However, after five minutes they started to fade given the hot conditions and then Stu opened the scoreboard with a nice try. Our boys continued on to win 28 -19.
Tries – Stu Cruden, Matene Ruawai, Ethsn Helu-Makssini, Sam Stewart.
Conversions – Stu Cruden x 4
Game 2 (SF) – De La Salle College
De La Salle were the biggest team we faced. One minute into the game one of their big men opened the scoreboard with a barnstorming run right up the middle. This looked ominous. However, they then received a yellow card. We regrouped and were able to stay in touch through some sound defence by Korie Winters and Stu who then went on the attack resulting in a try from Korie. De La Salle scored again before half time (12 – 7). The second half was frantic and memorable for all the wrong reasons. Three yellow cards were given out. Two to De La Salle for head high tackles and one to Sila Sinamoni for a late tackle on them. The boys hung tough but were exhausted. Final score 21 – 19.
Tries – Korie Winters, Stu Cruden, Tyler Laubscher
Conversions – Stu Cruden x 3
Game 3 (Bowl Final) – Mt Roskill Grammar
Played on the No. 1 field on Sky Television, Te Ariki Te Puni opened the scoring by keeping several defenders at bay with a powerful fend and strong leg drive. This gave the boys confidence and they started to grow another leg. Three more tries were scored in the first half with Kori dotting down twice. Half time score 24 – 5. In the second half we played with composure and managed to starve Mt Roskill of possession. Scoring another three tries, the final score was 39 -5 and gave us the title of 2016 National Condors Bowl winners.
Tries – Te Ariki, Korie x 2, Ethan, Stu, Tyler, Sila
Conversions – Stu Cruden x2
Apart from the last game, Stu had an outstanding weekend with ‘the boot’.
Thanks and a special mention must go to Matene Ruawai and Te Ariki Te Puni who have worked tirelessly for PNBHS 7’s – they have remained loyal and kept intact the mana of our school.
