First-five Kauri Christie complemented all of those in a flawless display on a picture-perfect day, and in a match that saw the home team lead the lineout count 7-4, scrum count 9-7 and penalty count 6-5.
Every GBHS forward — whether a member of the starting 15 or a reserve — carried the ball and tackled with whole-hearted commitment. Every player, whether a starter or a reserve, scrambled defensively in a total team victory.
New Plymouth opened the scoring with a bolt-from-the-blue intercept try to second-five Viliame Rova at the quarter-hour mark.
Jack Wiseman’s conversion made it 7-0.
Ingram struck back from a close-range rush after 31 minutes. And Christie’s boot tied it at the break.
Two minutes into the second half, NPBHS reserve fetcher Jacob Carmichael scored five metres in from the left corner.
The conversion attempt missed and in the 41st minute, centre Kerekere-Tangira hit back with a try under the bar to level the scores.
Christie’s conversion gave them their first lead in a Super 8 match this season —14-12.
Barely five minutes passed before Whaitiri crashed across the try line 2m to the left of the goalposts.
The score, with Christie’s boot to thank, became 21-12.
At the 52nd minute, under pressure, NPBHS reserve halfback Tai Mildon got a great ball away to left-wing Jaxon Steele to score in the corner. Wiseman missed the kick at goal and the visitors led 21-17.
After 55 minutes, Bidois got over to score 8m to the left of goal and Christie landed the kick of GBHS’ season for 28-17.
Renowned speedster and Steele’s wing partner, Brayden Neilsen, cut the line in the 62nd minute and Wiseman converted, but Gisborne held strong for the win.
“To say that I’m proud of this Gisborne Boys’ High School first 15 would be an understatement,” an elated Ingram said.
“In those dying moments, knowing that it was our last game together, they tackled, tackled and finished the year with a bang,”
