1st Xv vs Napier Boys’ High School (National Knock Out Game)
After losing the Polson Banner fixture in
dramatic fashion, the 1st XV travelled to Napier to play in the
knock out fixture that would determine who would progress onto the Hurricanes
region semi-finals.
The game started with the rather unfamiliar sight of the sun in the sky and grass on the field and this spurred both sides on to play fairly entertaining rugby. Both teams were stringing multiple phases together before excellent turnover play would result in counterattacks being launched. With the advantage of a fairly stiff breeze at their backs, Napier opened the scoring with a penalty and then a try after sustained pressure inside our defending 22. The next ten minutes belonged to the 1st XV with Jacob Hewetson-Talamaivao exploding from fullback and laying on two tries. This gave us a 14-8 lead as the first half closed. Napier then launched one more attack from an errant clearing kick and they were the last to score in that half. Our scrambling defence meant that the try was scored out wide and this proved to be an important factor in the final outcome. This made the halftime score 14-13 to us. As the half ended, the rain came and the wind picked up and suddenly it made us feel back at home.
The second half started very well for us with our kicking game pinning the opposition in their 22. This time we were clinical when given a chance and we scored a third converted try to take a 21-13 lead. The next twenty minutes saw the game seesaw with Napier getting the better of the possession stakes. However our linespeed and breakdown work continued to frustrate them and they couldn’t find a way through. As the half started to wind down, we were reduced to 14 men and Napier finally crossed the line from set piece. They quickly converted and it was 21-20 with one minute to play. We secured possession from the resulting kick off, were rewarded a scrum penalty and were able to finish the game 21-20 victors.
This game was built around an outstanding defensive effort and an attack game that was clinical when it had opportunities. To get up from the canvas again speaks volumes for the fortitude of this team and it has earned itself the chance to keep playing rugby.
Our next game will be in a fortnight against the winners of the Wellington competition.
Points Scorers:
Tries: Bryn Wilson
Sam Stewart
Tyler Laubscher
Conversions: Stewart Cruden x 3