HSOB have first points on table

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

The Blue and Whites have their first win of the season.

Earthworks Solutions High School Old Boys, under captain and halfback George Halley-Donnelly, beat Kevin Hollis Glass Pirates 34-17 at the Oval on Saturday.

A side who copped the tough Tapuae crew on opening day,  losing  55-20,  who then lost 29-24 to Enterprise Cars OBM, won this one against literally their closest rivals.

The Blues outgunned Pirates by four tries to three. First-five Bryan Howard scored a try and 19 points towards the win.

Try-scoring second-five Cohen Loffler won the Taste One Most Valuable Player award for HSOB, and was saluted by both clubs for a great effort.

Lock Fakatele Taufa took that honour for the Buccaneers. Fetcher Paula Tatafu also scored two tries. These teams knew that this match represented their best chance to get a first win in the competition — both played like it.

HSOB tighthead prop Salesi Niuvao, who scored twice against OBM the previous week, paid tribute to Pirates’ competitiveness in the tight exchanges.

Halley-Donnelly won the toss and Pirates’ first-five Isaiah Lemaua kicked off.

HSOB led 28-5 at halftime. Tatafu opened the scoring in the sixth minute, Pirates  hooker Moui Paongo scored their next try, Tatafu the third for HSOB. Howard, Loffler, blindside flanker Viliami Kavai and centre Rylan Tuwairua-Brown all dotted down and Howard was the premier grade’s goal-kicker of the week with two penalty goals and and four conversions.

HSOB head coach Wayne Ensor acknowledged the energy and attitude of both teams.

“There was plenty of action from both. Our loosehead prop Jamie Worsnop and lock Petelo Palusa were really solid up front and we’re very happy, but still have a lot to work on.”