PNBHS NEWS

Colts vs Hamilton BHS -"A Game of 'What ifs'"

 
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Colts vs Hamilton BHS -"A Game of 'What ifs'"
by Dominic King - Monday, 19 June 2017, 8:17 AM
 

Colts Rugby

PNBHS 5 v Hamilton BHS 31

Saturday 17 June 2017

This was a game of “what if’s”.

PNBHS went into this game confident that they could cause an upset against a big, strong, confident Hamilton team that had won all their games so far this season.

However, with a number of front line players opting to participate in other school events this weekend, coupled with a number of players either in bed with the flu or recovering from it, the chance of an upset was looking more and more unlikely as game day drew closer.

PNBHS started well and dominated territory and possession in the first 10 minutes coming close to scoring several times. The Hamilton defence held out however and this gave Hamilton confidence to fire some shots of their own.

Some “close in” running by the Hamilton forwards in the A and B channels, coupled with some slick backline handling saw Hamilton score twice in the first half and go into half time with a 10 nil lead.

While PNBHS were down on the scoreboard, they knew the first half had been close and that we had had our chances to cross the chalk also.

An even battle ensued for the first 15 minutes of the second half until Hamilton broke out from a defensive position and scored a long range try against the run of play which sunk the spirits and heads of the PNBHS players. Another two tries by Hamilton (one a length of the field try by their jet-propelled winger) and a try to PNBHS full back Lafo Takiari Ah Ching meant the scoreboard blew out to 31-5 which was not a fair reflection of the closeness of the game or the effort the PNBHS players had put in.      

The team will now need to regroup, flush this game and prepare for another stern battle against arch rivals New Plymouth BHS on Thursday.