Coast u15 girls and Boys’ High u14s do well

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

The Ngati Porou East Coast under-15 girls' rugby team have had two superb days.

Coaches David Newton and Laman Davies and manager Frankie Tihore are thrilled with their team's performance at the Hurricanes tournament in Levin.

The Coast lost 30-14 to defending champions St Mary's College of Wellington yesterday morning but bounced back to beat Feilding in a 19-17 nail-biter for third place — their best placing at this tournament.

In between the St Mary's and Feilding games, the Coast u15 girls beat Te Waiwhenua 36-5.

On Monday, they beat Wellington's Mana College 25-5 and Cullinane College, of Whanganui, 46-15.

Against Mana, the Coast led 25-5 at halftime, their tryscorers being right wing and player of the day Crimson Moko (2), tighthead prop Riva Habib, left wing Bobbi-Jo Hina and captain Jordan Tihore.

Against Cullinane, the Coast led 17-15 at halftime. Their tryscorers were Moko (2), Tihore (2), centre Dane-a Kopa (2) and No.8 Kingston Taiapa (2). Player of the day was prop Manaia Rangihuna.

In Palmerston North, Gisborne Boys' High School were playing Hastings Boys' High in the playoff for third at the Ian Colquhoun Invitational under-14 rugby tournament today. Yesterday, first five-eighth Safin Tuwairua-Brown's try on fulltime and fullback Wade Perrett's conversion sealed Gisborne's 14-8 win against Palmerston North BHS at Coronation Park.

PNBHS had led 8-0 at halftime but blindside flanker Maia Campbell scored five minutes before the end, his try being converted by Tuwairua-Brown.

GBHS captain and fetcher Puna Hihi, No.8 Luke Bidois and the midfield combination of Quaydon Chaffey-Kora and Api Kirkpatrick have performed well consistently for the Duane Hihi-coached side.

On Monday, Gisborne lost 31-12 to Hamilton.Gisborne try-scorers were Hihi and Campbell, with a conversion by Tuwairua-Brown.

Gisborne then beat Tauranga Boys' College 28-19. Tryscorers were Campbell (2), left wing Tyrese Thomas and Tuwairua-Brown, who also kicked three conversions. Perrett kicked one conversion.