1st XV v Napier Boys’ High School Match Report
The 1st XV finished their Super 8 campaign by hosting Napier Boys’ High School in the Polson Banner battle. In what is effectively a one off game that defines your season, the game for the oldest school boy trophy had been highlighted on the calendar since this time last year. Following our performance against Rotorua Boys’ in the weekend, we carried a fair amount of confidence into the fixture and looked forward to facing the traditional foe.
Wet weather in the lead up meant the field started at best sticky and as play progressed and the heavens opened up reverted to an old school bog. It’s a winter sport after all.
Napier played most of the footy in the first 15 minutes of the game and had a try to show for their efforts. Our defence started to aim up more effectively and the sting in our tackles returned as we started to force the opposition into handling errors. Despite playing into the wind our kicking game was effective and we started to gain parity in territory. As our game started to gain momentum we started to convert our opportunities with our running game. A fine kick return resulted in a try and in a fifteen minute period we scored three superb tries from sustained pressure to take a 17-5 lead into the halftime break.
The message in the second half was to make the most of the conditions and pin Napier inside their 22, placing emphasis on our defensive line.
The second half started as we intended only for some ill discipline to give them piggybacks into our 22. Again we backed our tackle however Napier, after concerted attack and failed attempts from us to clear post turnovers, managed to scramble over for a try. Play seesawed over the next period between the 22’s with both teams enjoying periods of ascendency – Napier with ball in hand, Palmerston North in the tackle – before we strung some phases together as the weather worsened to crash over for our 4th try with fifteen minutes to go. Napier replied with a try of their own and with 10 minutes to go things tightened up a bit. Our game drivers played sensible rugby in the final stanza and Napier barely got out of their 40 metres. A penalty on full time saw the score extend out to 27-15 and the Polson Banner returned to Palmerston North.
This was another massive defensive effort with Napier enjoying the lions share of possession given our second half kicking strategy. Again though we fronted when it was demanded and the team can be massively proud of their efforts today and in the Super 8. We move on now to the knock out games to find the Hurricanes representative for the National Top 4 hosting Napier again in two weeks in time.
Thank you again to our families, supporters and sponsors for all your well wishes and cheering from the sidelines throughout the Super 8. It certainly is most appreciated and the boys feel your presence out there on the field.
Points Scorers:
Tries: Ruben Love, Nasser Tato, Josh Ellingham, Darius Mafileo
Cons: Ruben Love x 2
Pens: Ruben Love
