Lessons learned against Kelston

ON THE CHARGE: Gisborne Boys’ High School captain Nathaniel Hauiti takes on the Kelston Boys’ High defence. Picture by Paul Rickard

RUGBY

Gisborne Boys’ High School won’t soon forget lessons learned against Kelston.

Their guests won three of the four clashes in the traditional interschool rugby fixture here last Saturday: the first 15, 71-6; second 15, 31-10; under-15s, 32-22. Only the Gisborne BHS u14s beat their Auckland opposites — 12-10.

First 15 first five-eighth Carlos Hihi kicked two first-half penalty goals — the score at the break being 40-6 to Kelston.

Openside flanker Braith Ingram and reserve loosehead prop Henry Shanks scored tries for the second 15. For the u15s, No.8 Luke Bidois scored a try in each half with halfback Sol O’Connor grabbing the home team’s first second-half try. Reserve fullback Wade Perrett converted the second try of Bidois’ double, in the second half, with centre Api Kirkpatrick scoring their last try.

U14s hooker Mano Tavake and reserve left wing Jaydyn Tihore-Edwards scored tries, with a conversion by second-five Impala Waipara, for the Trevor Crosby/Graeme Newlands-coached side under captain and openside flanker Fraser Wainohu.

First 15 head coach Ryan Tapsell said this of his side’s fast-paced clash with Kelston: “That was a tough game for us but I was happy with our boys’ effort. Kelston were well-built right across the paddock: big, strong, and they were fast. We missed the influence of Von Huata (injured) and Ben Phelps (unavailable), especially in defence.

“Our MVP (most valuable player) award was shared by King and Dylan Bronlund at openside flanker. Those two, and our captain Nathaniel Hauiti, tackled hard for us, with Nathaniel and No.8 Nik Patumaka also carrying the ball well.”

While second 15 coach Mark Jefferson did not pick an MVP from his team, players and public alike know that praise from him is hard-earned.

“You couldn’t fault the effort,” he said.

“We gifted them two easy tries early in the game but our big work-on is game awareness. We probably tried to play too much footy, instead of turning them around and playing in the corners.”

U15s coach Duane Hihi saw heart and potential on display.

“Maia Campbell and our captain Clayton Wright (blindside and openside flankers respectively) had high work-rates and did the hard yards so we could get the ball,” he said.

“They tackled well and thrived in the dark places no one likes. Luke carried the ball well, as did halfback Sol O’Connor and second-five Kelan Bryant.”

The u14s stopped Kelston “sweeping” GBHS 4-0 at home, and former GBHS first 15 and Poverty Bay senior captain Trevor Crosby — who takes the side with Graeme Newlands, assisted by Andrew Poihipi and Lance Terekia — was chuffed with the effort.

“Both teams ran the ball, even when easy penalty goals were on offer,” he said.

“We hung in there and I’m proud of these guys. They’re a great bunch of promising young men.”

No.8 Logan Bruce, in Crosby’s estimation, was amazing as MVP.