PNBHS NEWS

1st XV vs Hastings Boys’ High School

 
Picture of Ella Mitchell
1st XV vs Hastings Boys’ High School
by Ella Mitchell - Monday, 20 August 2018, 9:34 AM
 

1st XV vs Hastings Boys’ High School

Saturday 18 August

The 1st XV travelled to Hastings to play a knockout game against Hastings Boys’.  The winner of the game would progress through to the next round of the Top 4 series, the loser would be hanging up their boots for the season.

The game started well with the 1st XV playing in the right areas of the field, coming away with two early penalties.  Hastings were struggling to clear their own 22 and pressure was starting to mount on them.  Unfortunately this pressure was released with an errant exit kick of our own, gifting them field position and their forwards went to work with a number of rushes, working their way up the field.  We were guilty of sitting on our heels defensively and after a number of phases, the opposition crashed over for their first try.  Again, we worked our way back into their half only to give them an easy out and they stormed their way up the field.  We showed better line speed this time and were able to hold them out.  An attacking lineout from them was won by us, only for the resulting delivery to land into the opposition’s hands and they bundled their way over for an opportunistic try, taking the lead in the process.  We played well in the next stanza of the game and were able to set up camp in their 22.  This time our forwards went to work and got over the line for a deserved try to retake the lead heading into the half.  Hastings had one last crack at our line and with oranges beckoning, were able to score a try to take a slender lead into the break.

The message at halftime was to stay in the fight with line speed and not to get trapped on the insides defensively, as this was creating overlaps out wide. 

The second half started poorly for us with a quick try.  However, we got across the line for one of our own to close the game up to three points with 25 minutes left to go.  Hastings were now playing the territory game and were forced to run against the wind from deep.  Errors from scoreboard pressure started to mount as the opposition’s defence held firm.  They then capitalized on their territory and scored another two tries to extend their lead out.  Again though, we came up swinging and trying to find a way through, making surges up the field.  However, we were unable to land the blows needed.  Hastings scored right on full time to take the game 43-21.

This was a gutsy performance by a side that never gave up.  There were pivotal moments in the game which we struggled to control and Hastings were deserved victors, but one should never doubt the fight shown by the 1st XV in this game and indeed throughout the season.

Points Scorers:

Tries:                Nasser Tato

                        Will Treder

Conversions:    Stewart Cruden

Penalties:         Stewart Cruden 3