Hastings BHS win memorable clash

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Gisborne versus Hastings was full of passion.

The second-15 rugby pre-Super 8 game at Nuhaka Domain produced six excellent tries on a memorable occasion with Hastings Boys' High School winning the fixture 20-12.

“Akina” were led superbly at “home” by captain and lock Reuben Allen, who scored two of his side's four uncoverted tries in this curtain-raiser to the inaugural Turanga Combined-Wairoa Combined clash.

On a warm day, Gisborne BHS captain and No.8 Noah Torrance-Cribb won the toss and chose an end. Allen opted to kick off in front of 150 fans, the crowd swelling throughout.

Allen opened the scoring with a try six minutes into the first half, courtesy of halfback Noah Ioasa's clearing pass from a ruck.

In the 16th minute, tighthead prop Caleb Johnston scored the second Hastings try and 27 minutes in, speedy left wing Crichton Campbell gave them a 15-0 advantage.

GBHS drew blood two minutes before halftime with a try to first five-eighth Te-Reimana Gray, who also kicked the conversion.

Hastings added to their 15-7 lead at the break with a second try to skipper Allen in the 49th minute. The game began at a cracking clip but kept an erratic tempo thereafter.

Brawny Gisborne blindside flanker Keegan Jooste scored the last try of the game for a final score of Hastings 20 GBHS 12.

Gisborne Boys' High School's MVP (most valuable player) was co-captain and fullback Safin Tuwairua-Brown, who tested the Hastings defence with his skill and eye for space.

Akina's best was TJ Tupai, a convert from the back row to hooker.

Gisborne went into the game with confidence in the wake of their grand 20-19 win against Napier BHS at the Rectory the weekend before.

They worked hard and well in the lead-up to the game at Nuhaka.

Torrance-Cribb said: “We got into a good rhythm just before halftime and the thing that pleased me most was our line speed in defence. We do need to execute and score when we're in the opposition's 22, though. That's a work-on.”

Allen, in his last year at Akina, was pleased with the win.

“I thought our boys put on a good performance against a big Gizzy side, showed heart and were able to execute at crucial times. We're grateful to have come away with the win.”