A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.
This year has been the toughest year in the Gisborne Boys' High School first 15's rugby history.
On Saturday, the Ryan Tapsell-coached, Nathaniel Hauiti-led GBHS team met the four-time Super 8 defending champions Hamilton BHS in front of 1000 fans at the Rectory. The visitors beat the home team 50-5 to retain the Vesty Thomas Cup, which HBHS have held since 2012.
Hamilton head coach Nigel Hotham felt that Gisborne made a great start to the game, had HBHS under pressure, but also that the visitors defended well.
Classy HBHS fullback Payton Spencer, with his searing pace and skill in support, performed magnificently and was his team's MVP (most valuable player.
Tapsell spoke on behalf of GBHS.
“Our forwards played their best game as a unit, with No.8 Nik Patumaka outstanding as our MVP. Every carry he made had an impact. He was hard to bring down, and fetcher Dylan Bronlund had another strong game, with good contributions from vice-captain Max Briant, Max's locking partner Matiu Anderson and blindside flanker Tyla Keelan-Phillips.
Sean Ralph's co-captain, first-five Taha Kemara, won the toss and chose to kick off. GBHS scrum anchor Hauiti opted to play with a sou' easterly breeze at the hosts' backs on a firm ground.
The visitors opened the scoring 14 minutes into the game, as Poverty Bay referee Mark Green awarded the visiting team a penalty 15m from Gisborne's goal-line. Halfback Dean Ralph tap-kicked the ball and went left to Kemara, who cut three teammates out. Spencer then cut openside flanker Oliver Mathis out to give Brodie Robinson an assist for try No.1 in the corner. Kemara converted from the touchline for 7-0.
Hamilton second-five Austin Anderson scored an individual try in the 19th minute.
From the ruck Halfback Ralph went left to Anderson at the 22: he weaved his way down the ground, in and away past three would-be tacklers, to score beneath the crossbar. Kemara converted for 14-0.
Gisborne skipper Nathaniel Hauiti scored the third try of the match five minutes later.
Gisborne were awarded a penalty 5m from Hamilton's line, 16m from the left touch. Russell tapped, went left but from the ensuing ruck, sent the ball back to the right, openside. Hauiti, with loosehead prop Zeke Collier and workaholic rake Matariki Kaa on either side, hulked his way across for GBHS 5, HBHS 14, but no conversion.
In the 30th minute, Sean Ralph scored by far the best try to a visiting forward here this season.
The fourth try of the match came after nine phases in pick and go, proof of Hamilton's determination to score and Gisborne's commitment to keep them at bay.
HBHS tighthead prop Gabe Robinson scored the last try before the break in the 33rd minute, and Kemara converted. Hamilton led 28-5 at half-time.
In the second half, the visitors scored through right-wing Henry Palmer (47th minute, try converted by Kemara), Spencer in breathtaking style (49th minute, no conversion), Reeves (57th minute) and Robinson for ia double (69th minute).
Tomorrow is a big day for Gisborne Boys' High School rugby on many levels.
Tauranga Boys' College's Nicholson Field, site in 1983 and 1993 of two of the GBHS first 15's greatest triumphs, will again make history.
Tauranga beat Gisborne 23-7 there to claim the second Super 8 title in1999. They won the Kane Trophy 36-24 at Nicholson two years ago, and defended it 29-22 at the Rectory in 2020.
TBC have had a season of “nearly” results, with two losses, one draw and two wins. Tauranga are coming off a 22-8 loss to Hastings at Akina.
This season has been the toughest in 111 years of GBHS first 15 rugby. The Ryan Tapsell-coached, Nathaniel Hauiti-led Gisborne team have played hard but have yet to savour victory this season.
Tapsell said: “The vibe at training has been really good this week with our boys all positive in their attitudes and working hard. We just need to keep things simple. Do the basics, and do them well.”
Hauiti is of similar mind: “We're excited because, for some of our boys, it's their last game in the jersey.”