Gisborne Boys’ High break win drought

FLYING WINGER: Gisborne Boys’ High School left wing Izaiah Fox, here in action against Napier Boys’ High School, scored two tries and kicked two conversions against Western Heights High School, of Rotorua, at Rugby Park in Whakatane on Saturday. Boys’ High won the game 41-0.File picture by Paul Rickard

They're back in business.

The Gisborne Boys’ High School first 15 of 2022 began their rugby campaign with a win on Saturday.

It was the team’s first taste of victory since Amos Roddick’s crew beat New Plymouth 18-17 at the GBHS Rectory ground No.1 on September 12, 2020.

Boys’ High, under co-captains tighthead prop Nathaniel Hauiti and first five-eighth Carlos Hihi beat Western Heights High School of Rotorua 41-0 at Rugby Park in Whakatane, having led 17-0 at halftime.

Western Heights captain and openside flanker Koby Grimes won the toss and chose to play with the wind on a fine day, on a firm surface.

Boys’ High scored seven tries — two to left wing Izaiah Fox and one each to GBHS MVP (most valuable player) blindside flanker Dylan Bronlund, openside flanker Ben Phelps, fullback Cohen Loffler, lock Kaia Gate and reserve right wing Luka Russell. Hihi kicked two conversions and Fox, one.

Gisborne head coach Duane Hihi was enthused by his players’ work ethic and especially the output of the team’s 13 debutants in the season opener.

“It was good to see the boys express themselves because they’ve had a long pre-season build-up — which was needed, to give us a chance of being competitive this year,” Hihi Snr said.

“We’re looking forward to our first home game against Lindisfarne College at the Rectory in two weeks.

“The platform was laid up front by No.8/blindside flanker Reuben Whaitiri and reserve No.8 Luke Bidois, then the backs caused havoc. Western Heights had a big pack and were strong at set-piece. They’d played the week before, so were sharp and competitive.”

Bronlund opened the scoring 41 seconds into the game with a try, and Carlos Hihi converted for 7-0.

Phelps followed suit at the eight-minute mark and Loffler after 14 minutes to give GBHS a 17-0 lead at the break (the game was played in quarters).

Western Heights’ defence was strong in a scoreless second quarter, as they — with more possession and better field position than they’d had in the first 17 minutes — exerted more control. Grimes and lock Lincoln Clarke-Meihana were among their best, and tackled hard.

In the third quarter, Gisborne raised the tempo again. Gate scored in the 38th minute and Russell in the 44th, with a conversion from Fox for 29-0.

Fox scored twice, in the 50th and 62nd minutes, Hihi converting the last try.

Gisborne Boys’ High took a squad of 26 on the trip. Defence was a priority for them, and so to come through Game 1 not only unscathed but having kept the tough Rotorua side scoreless was significant.

Western Heights put pressure on GBHS at tines, but the Gisborne team stuck to their defensive systems. They will need to do that again against Lindisfarne, of Hastings, in Gisborne on April 3.

Bay of Plenty referee Jaco Brouwer controlled what was a pacy outing.

GISBORNE BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL 41 (Izaiah Fox 2, Dylan Bronlund, Ben Phelps, Cohen Loffler, Kaia Gate, Luka Russell, tries; Fox 2 conversions, Carlos Hihi con) beat Western Heights High School 0.

Halftime: 17-0.