Kick secures last-gasp victory for GBHS second 15

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

A penalty goal 90 seconds from fulltime secured a one-point win for Gisborne Boys’ High School second 15 at the Rectory ground on Saturday.

Reserve second five-eighth Tupai Matenga kicked the winning penalty in Gisborne’s 20-19 victory over the Napier Boys’ High School second 15.

It put the seal on a great day for Gisborne Boys’ High School rugby, as the first 15, playing at the same time at Porirua Park, beat Wellington College 33-24.

A crowd of 200 watched Mike Kora’s second 15, led by co-captains No.8 Noah Torrance-Cribb and fullback Safin Tuwairua-Brown, win their game at the Rectory.

Torrance-Cribb said: “We’re very proud of our match-effort, it was a great result for us, and now we just need to keep the momentum going.”

Napier BHS coach Viliami Malatai was in awe of Gisborne’s hard-running forwards and dangerous back three.

“It was messy and physical on a beautiful day for rugby,” he said.

“Gisborne’s kicking game was really good, and both teams had space to utilise, but a lot of the time it looked a bit like bullrush.

“We just didn’t take our opportunities.”

Malatai complimented referee Miah Nikora, the Poverty Bay Heartland head coach, on the way he controlled the game while allowing for the skills and knowledge of both sets of young players.

It was the Gisborne side’s second good win this season. They beat Feilding High School 18-0 at Elwood Park in Waipatu on May 1.

Torrance-Cribb won the toss and chose an end. Napier skipper lock Max Pirie opted to kick off.

In the ninth minute, Gisborne Boys’ left wing Api Kirkpatrick scored the first of his two tries. First five-eighth Te-Reimana Gray converted this try and Kirkpatrick’s second, in the 24th minute, for 14-0.

The mature decision-making and versatility of the Napier MVP (most valuable player), fullback-cum-halfback Zac Forster, were top-notch. He scored six minutes before halftime, and Gisborne led 14-5.

Napier reserve lock Ben Campbell scored in the 41st minute. That and first-five Jacob Cotter’s conversion closed it to 14-12.

Gisborne’s Gray maintained his fine kicking form with another penalty for 17-12.

With eight minutes left, Napier scored a try to reserve blindside flanker Khan Stevenson. Coach Malatai regarded him as Napier’s best forward on the day.

Forster’s conversion gave Napier the lead for the first time in the match, 19-17.

Enter Tupai Matenga of GBHS — from 17 metres back, two metres to the left of the posts — and his pressure-penalty goal for 20-19 and victory.

The Super 8 rematch between the second 15s from Gisborne and Napier will take place at Napier Boys’ High School on June 11.