Gisborne fight back for win

NO WAY THROUGH: Gisborne Boys’ High School first 15 second five-eighth Le Trey Haeata takes on the New Plymouth Boys’ High School defence in a Super 8 clash at the Rectory field on Saturday. Gisborne bounced back from three successive losses to beat New Plymouth 22-14. Picture by Paul Rickard

A JOSEPH Mason try two minutes from time gave Boys’ High School a 22-14 win against New Plymouth Boys’ High School in a Super 8 clash at the Rectory on Saturday.

Awarded a penalty by referee Caleb Greaves in the 68th minute, Ngati Porou Seafoods Gisborne Boys’ High School kicked for touch. After securing possession, tighthead prop Jarryd Broughton led the charge to the line and when he was stopped just short, hooker Mason crashed over to seal the win.

The victory took Gisborne into joint third on the table. Gisborne and Hamilton both have 11 points, although Gisborne have played two games more than Hamilton. Hastings made it four wins from four games with a 39-15 defeat of Rotorua Boys’ High.

New Plymouth opened the scoring with a converted try after 15 minutes. Gisborne hit back seven minutes later when first-five Austin Brown dotted down and converted. Brown then kicked a penalty to give Gisborne a 10-7 lead at the end of an evenly fought first 35 minutes.

Four minutes into the second half New Plymouth regained the lead with their second converted try. With defences on top, both teams were struggling to get across the tryline but there was no stopping Broughton when he barged his way over with 14 minutes remaining, following another successful lineout.

Gisborne coach Tom Cairns said he was happy to get the win after a couple of defeats.

“It wasn’t the free-flowing game we expected, but both defences put paid to that,” Cairns said. “We were happy with the effort and resilience that the boys showed after going behind. To get back up and win was good.”

As well as scoring tries, Mason and Broughton were part of a pack that set the platform for the win. Mason, normally a prop, wore the No.2 jersey and had a strong game. Lock Gabe Te Kani and the loose trio, Jakob Teneti (blindside), Naera Tipoki (open) and No.8 Quade Tapsell, also made huge contributions to the win.

First five-eighth Austin Brown and Nathan Rangihuna were the best of the backs, who had few opportunities to show their attacking flair.