The jubilant scenes at Nicholson Field after the final whistle on Saturday showed just what it means to beat Auckland Grammar.
Tauranga Boys' players and supporters reacted in unison after Grammar's injury-time penalty attempt missed to give the home team a deserved 18-17 victory that continues the excellent build-up tothe Chiefs Cup and Super 8 competitions.
The win over Grammar, who lost last year's Auckland 1A final to St Kentigern College, follows last month's victories against Massey High School and Whangarei Boys', and a draw with Auckland's Sacred Heart College.
Grammar fullback Shaun Stevenson was in tears after he missed the final kick but it would have been a miscarriage of justice had he succeeded, as the determined effort and skills shown by Tauranga Boys' deserved reward.
The final 10 minutes were frenetic, with the lead changing hands twice after Tauranga Boys' prop Aiden Ross crashed over to go ahead 15-7. A lack of concentration from the kick-off saw Grammar regain possession and they cleverly worked the ball into space with their outstanding fullback Stevenson scoring out wide to close the gap to 15-12.
Tauranga Boys' went hot on attack with a move down the right touchline, involving wingers Wemin Kapi, Christian Kelly and fullback Josh Honey, but when the move broke down a speculative high kick by Grammar was brilliantly pulled in and Stevenson scooted away to score his second.
With time nearly up and Grammar leading 17-15, first-five Dan Hollingshead shot through a gap to start a splendid attacking move involving most of the Tauranga Boys' team that led to a penalty in front of the Grammar posts. Hollingshead easily slotted the goal to put his team 18-17 in front and likely winners until the injury-time drama.
Man of the match Honey is normally a halfback and he had a tremendous game, particularly on defence, but the key moment in the game came when Grammar looked certain to score in the passage leading up to the final penalty, until halfback Matt Abbott did a version of George Gregan's famous cover tackle on Jeff Wilson and saved the day.
Tauranga Boys' set piece went well against a big Grammar pack with national volleyball stars Max Schroder and Caleb Aperahama ensuring a constant supply of quality lineout ball. In the loose, captain Mungo Mason, Grayson Kite and Connor Silvester tackled themselves to a standstill and their outstanding covering work prevented more Grammar tries.
Tauranga Boys' College 18 (Wemin Kapia, Aiden Ross tries; Dan Hollingshead con, 2 pens) Auckland Grammar 17 (Shaun Stevenson 2, Bila Uele tries; Stevenson con). Halftime 5-0 TBC.
