PNBHS NEWS

PNBHS Colts Win Youth 1 Rugby Final

 
Picture of Ella Mitchell
PNBHS Colts Win Youth 1 Rugby Final
by Ella Mitchell - Tuesday, 29 August 2017, 9:23 AM
 

PNBHS Win Youth 1 Rugby Final

PNBHS Colts 29 v Feilding HS Colts 14


After a delayed start to the game on a beautifully fine winters day at Massey University, Feilding HS, with a slight breeze at their backs, went on to attack from the kick off and proceeded to camp inside our 22 for the first 20 minutes of the game. Moving the ball from side to side in an attempt to speed the game up, it was only heroic defence that denied Feilding any points.

When PNBHS were finally able to break out of our own half, Tavita Henare, playing on the left wing, received the ball in space and produced some “Tavita magic”, fending off 2 players and bamboozling several others as he dotted down in the corner to open the scoring. 5 nil to PNBHS.

Feilding then went back on to attack and opened their account with a try by the posts which was duly converted. 5-7 to Feilding.

Play seesawed for the rest of the first half until Lafo Takiari latched on to a loose Feilding pass and raced 90 metres to score under the posts. The conversion by Logan Love meant PNBHS went into half time 12-7 ahead.

The second half started well with PNBHS gaining dominance in set pieces and playing rugby at the right end of the field. A trademark Nasser Tato bulldozing run resulted in Tato crashing over out wide, pushing the score out to 17-7.

Again Feilding hit back, scoring a converted try and bringing the scores closer, 17-14 to PNBHS.

Two well taken tries in the final 15 minutes, one to Reif Dawson and one to Jayden Taylor, saw PNBHS run out comfortable winners and claim the U15 champions trophy.

While the game was a lot closer than many might have expected, PNBHS knew that if they could repel Feilding's initial onslaughts they would eventually gain dominance and gain control. And so it played out.

This game was won by a group of 22 committed young men, confident in their own abilities and the team structures. Uncompromising defence, good game appreciation, discipline and calm heads when under pressure saw the PNBHS Colts team unbeaten this year in the Manawatu competition.

Credit must go to the “leadership group” within this team - Logan Love, Elyjah Crosswell, Charlie Justice and Reif Dawson - who time and time again this year took control on the field and showed real appreciation of the game of rugby and how it can, and should be played.