Dominant second half not enough

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RUGBY

This is a first 15 who dig deep.

Ngati Porou Seafoods Gisborne Boys’ High School — as they have done against many other highly-fancied opponents this season — gave Hamilton a real push in Game 6 of their Super 8 campaign at Hamilton on Saturday.

It was a tough weekend for the visitors. The home side’s first 15 retained the Thomas Cup they have held since 2012 with a 26-17 win after leading 26-3 at halftime in overcast conditions on a heavy ground before a crowd of 300.

Hamilton enjoyed a clean sweep, also winning the second 15 fixture 57-0 and the under-15s game 45-0.

“The pace of the game was very slow,” said GBHS first 15 coach Mark Jefferson. “We were on the end of a high penalty count and lost a man to the sinbin in the first half.

“They scored twice in that period. We dominated the second half and were rewarded with excellent tries to (hooker) Billy Priestley and (fullback) Moses Christie.”

Priestley, Christie and first five-eighth Quinn Collard have been among Gisborne’s best-performed players this season.

Collard converted both their tries and kicked a penalty.

Captain/openside flanker Dylan Hall and a hard-working forward pack once again toiled strongly against heavier opponents.

“It was a stop-start game against one of the biggest teams we’ve played this year,” said Hall. “They dominated the first half; we dominated the second.”

Hamilton head coach Nigel Hotham admitted they were fortunate to get away with a bonus-point win.

“We saw the best of Gisborne in the second half. They were gritty. If a few things had gone their way in the last 10 minutes, they could have won it.

“On their day, I think they could knock anyone over.”

A full complement of four Boys’ High teams play their last Super 8 games against Tauranga Boys’ College at the Rectory this weekend — first 15 (12.30pm), second 15 (11am), under-15s (9.30am) and u14s (9.30am).