PNBHS NEWS

Colts Rugby beat Gisborne 20-15

 
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Colts Rugby beat Gisborne 20-15
by Dominic King - Monday, 29 May 2017, 3:26 PM
 

PNBHS Colts 20 v Gisborne BHS Colts 15

The PNBHS Under 15A Rugby Colts opened their interschool season with a hard-fought win against a big, determined Gisborne BHS side in Gisborne.

Played in wet and slippery conditions, the team that adapted to the conditions and played wet weather rugby was always going to have the advantage.

The opening 10 minutes saw the two big forward packs go head to head in a tight and even battle. Gisborne opened the scoring with a penalty after which Logan Love reciprocated to tie the scores 3 all.

After 15 minutes PNBHS was just starting to get on top of a tiring Gisborne forward pack, only for Gisborne to get an intercept try and run 50m to score out wide. 8-3 to Gisborne.

This fired the blue and whites up and a perfectly timed 1 and 3 cut inside Gisborne’s 22 saw Lafo Takiari Ah Ching bounce off several would-be tacklers like a pin ball in a pinball machine and go in for a barnstorming try under the posts. Love’s conversion put PNBHS 10-8 ahead.

Just before half time an old-fashioned lineout drive resulted in Elyjah Crosswell going over in the corner meaning PNBHS went to the half time break leading 15-8.

A quick tap penalty early in the second half saw Gisborne catch PNBHS asleep and score their second try and draw level 15 all.

Some excellent tactical kicking and right option taking saw PNBHS dominate the next 20 minutes and go close to scoring on a number of occasions. Getting the ball across the line proved somewhat difficult however until Jayden Taylor scooped the ball up with one hand and dived over to give PNBHS the lead 20-15 with 15 minutes to go.

From the kick off PNBHS swept back on attack and continued to dominate territory and possession until a break out by Gisborne with 5 minutes to go saw PNBHS having to defend its line stoutly. Some big hits by Tiwha Rukuwai, Logan Hughes, Takiari Ah Ching and others saw PNBHS deny Gisborne a victory.

Although this game was close, PNBHS showed real rugby smarts and played the conditions to perfection. A big, fast Gisborne side were always going to be a threat, but the PNBHS team showed what guts and determination can do when 21 young men are focussed on the task.

A good start to what will be a long, tough season.

View photos of match  Colts vs Gisborne