Courage Cup gains momentum

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

This week was the best so far for Courage Cup rugby.

Some 400 supporters watched the latest instalment of the fast-growing Gisborne Boys' High School rugby initiative.

“The competition's gaining momentum,” said Mark Jefferson of GBHS.

“This was another good spectacle at Barry Park and it was neat to be able to hold all the games at one place. The standard of play is getting better each week.”

Team Charlie Ngatai ended the three-week reign of Team Whetukamokamo Douglas, the inaugural Courage Cup holders, 43-27. Both sides' centres were in top form as the MVPs (most valuable players) — Luka Russell for Ngatai, Kevin Higgins for Douglas.

In the clash between Team Rico Gear and Team Hosea Gear, the Rico team won 41-19, Hosea's MVP being Brayden Maxwell and Rico's award being shared by Cody Tarei and Clayton Wright.

Team O'Connor were very good in their 31-10 win over Team Halafihi, O'Connor's MVP award going to Malosi Luafalealo. Kallen Edwards claimed that honour for a gutsy Team Halafihi.

In Round 4 on Wednesday next week, Team Whetukamokamo Douglas, now in third position, will play sixth-placed Team Halafihi on Barry Park No.1, Team Hosea Gear will play Team O'Connor (second place) on Barry Park 2, and the unbeaten Team Charlie Ngatai — new Courage Cup holders — will play Team Rico Gear, who are fourth-equal with Team Hosea, on Barry Park 3.