Gisborne Boys’ High School go close after tough first day

Gisborne Boys’ High winger Oska Smith jumps to avoid the tackle of Rotorua Boys’ High’s Toby Stubbs in a Super 8 first 11 football clash at the Rectory field yesterday. Rotorua won 3-0. Smith was a stand-out for the home side in their afternoon clash with Napier Boys’ High — scoring their only goal of the tournament so far in a 2-1 defeat. Pictures by Liam Clayton

Into Super 8 playoff for 7th/8th.

Gisborne Boys’ High School found their groove yesterday afternoon in the Super 8 football tournament that started on Monday.

They lost 2-1 to Napier Boys’ High but piled on the pressure in the second half after falling a goal behind in the first half of their game at the Rectory.

Oska Smith, who caused Napier problems raiding down the right flank, won a penalty 15 minutes into the second spell, and coolly slotted the spot-kick to make it 1-1.

Gisborne continued to push forward, looking for a winner, but Napier counter-attacked to go ahead 10 minutes from time.

Despite their best efforts, Gisborne could not break down the Napier defence again.

Gisborne’s best in this game were defenders Cory Thomson, Shai Avni and Ethan Cunningham. Smith, midfielders Kyran Lasenby, Matt Hills and Max Kume, and striker Sam Briant also worked hard for the cause.

The loss put Gisborne into the playoff for seventh and eighth against Hastings this morning.

Gisborne lost 3-0 to Rotorua Boys’ High yesterday morning.

It followed a tough opening day (Monday) for the home side.

They lost 3-0 to Hamilton BHS in the morning and 7-0 to Palmerston North BHS in the afternoon.

Gisborne did well against the traditionally strong Hamilton side, who scored their second goal in first-half stoppage time and their third late in the game following a penalty.

Goalkeeper Hugo Lodewyk saved the spot-kick but a Hamilton player banged in the rebound.

Standout players for Gisborne were leftback Kaden Manderson, centreback Cory Thomson, attacking midfielder Matt Hills, striker Jacob Adams and winger Oska Smith.

Manager and assistant coach Darren Larkins said Gisborne were still in the game against Palmerston North until the last quarter.

“We were 2-0 down at halftime and still doing well . . . if we’d pulled one back we’d have been right in it,” he said.

“Palmerston North are a nice, clean footballing side, well drilled, with good movement off the ball, good passing and a clinical approach in the final third.

“After we went 3-0 down, we made some unforced errors and conceded four goals in the last 15 minutes.

“The final score probably flattered Palmerston North, but they fully deserved to win . . . they’re an excellent footballing team.”

Standout Gisborne players in this game were Thomson in a holding midfield role, Hills and leftback Kyran Lasenby.

Lodewyk had to go off late in the game with an ankle injury and was replaced by striker Sam Briant. With all their substitutes already on the field, Gisborne had to play the last few minutes a player short.

Gisborne had already been hit by injuries when Lodewyk got hurt.

Attacking midfielder Alex Shanks pulled out with injury before the first game, and Anton Larkins aggravated a groin injury against Hamilton and was ruled out for the rest of the tournament.

Super 8 football results —

Tuesday, morning: Rotorua 3 Gisborne 0, halftime 1-0; Hamilton 1 Palmerston North 1, HT 1-0 to Hamilton; Tauranga 3 New Plymouth 0, HT 1-0; Napier 4 Hastings 0, HT 2-0.

Post-section play: Tauranga 4 Palmerston North 0, HT 1-0; Napier 2 Gisborne 1, HT 1-0 to Napier;  Hamilton 2 New Plymouth 1, HT 1-all; Rotorua 2 Hastings 1, HT 1-0 to Hastings.

Monday —  Morning: Hamilton 3 Gisborne 0, HT 2-0; Tauranga 11 Hastings 0, HT 5-0; New Plymouth 3 Napier 1, HT 1-1; Palmerston North 0 Rotorua 0.

Afternoon: Palmerston North 7 GBHS 0, ht 2-0; Tauranga 1 Napier 1, HT 1-0 to Napier; Hamilton 3 Rotorua 0, HT 2-0; New Plymouth 5 Hastings 0, HT 2-0.

• The Central Federation League match between ALH Gisborne Thistle and Palmerston North United scheduled for Childers Road Reserve was postponed on Saturday, as were the men’s Eastern League 1 and 2 games.

Women’s Eastern League matches were played on Sunday.

Bohemians and Gisborne Girls’ High School drew 2-2, and Gisborne Laundry Services Wainui Riverina beat Tatapouri Marist Thistle 12-0.