‘Gutsy performance’ to finish

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RUGBY

It will be remembered with feeling.

The Gisborne Boys’ High School first 15 wrapped up their rugby season with a spirited effort against Tauranga Boys’ College.

Tauranga beat Gisborne 36-24 at Nicholson Field to claim the Kane Trophy held by Gisborne Boys’ High since their 24-19 victory in Tauranga two years ago. Boys’ High defended the trophy 28-5 at the Rectory last season.

As a result of this game, Gisborne finished eighth and Tauranga, fifth. The Super 8 final this Saturday is between Hamilton and Hastings in Hamilton.

Gisborne head coach Mark Jefferson said: “It was a gutsy performance by our boys after giving Tauranga, at home, too much of a head start.

“Those first 20 minutes aside, we dominated the game. Nathaniel Hauiti (tighthead prop) and Nik Patumaka (lock) are young players but they stood up and gave us great go-forward.”

Gisborne Boys’ High try-scorers were hooker Amanaki Tonga (a pair), openside flanker Amos Roddick and right wing Matt Proffit. First five-eighth Ricardo Patricio kicked two conversions.

For Tauranga, right wing Ryan Schneebeli scored a hat-trick of tries, centre Taratu Mankolo got a double and hooker Jayreeve Mose scored once. Captain and second-five Hunter Dickson kicked three conversions.

Roddick was Gisborne Boys’ High School’s MVP (most valuable player); Dickson had that honour for Tauranga.

“I couldn’t be prouder of this team,” said GBHS loosehead prop and captain Jordan McFarlane, who debuted as a 15-year-old and played 43 games for the first 15 from 2017.

“Even with an unlucky run of injuries and narrow losses, they pushed through. The effort they gave on Saturday? I couldn’t have asked for more.

“It has been an honour to lead the team this year.”