In that first match, left wing Bryan Howard dotted down 30 seconds in and the home team scored at more than a point a minute to lead 21-0 and go on to retain the Bruce Harvey Memorial Cup, played for when the sides meet in the first round.
Despite their winning start to their 2026 campaign, HSOB’s first-year head coach James Jenkins will not tolerate complacency.
“We’re not taking Ngtāpa lightly, but rather looking to keep the momentum we’ve got going and try some new combinations,” he said. “Fletcher Scammell [lock] and Cohen Loffler [first five] will be co-captains. Players who’ve had injuries are returning tomorrow. With our Premier and Senior 1 sides playing at home and our juniors playing from 9am, it’s going to be a great HSOB cub day.”
Ngātapa head coach Sione Ngatu has a rock-solid front-row in place for what is always a highly physical contest in the forward exchanges – club rugby’s answer to “ground and pound”.
The big three for the visitors are Lance Dickson, who scored a try on his Ngātapa debut two weekends ago, Ben Johnson and Sam Hudson.
Dickson’s former OBM club teammate Braedyn Grant will make his first start for HSOB (at centre) after coming on as a replacement in their 20-12 opening day win over YMP and 31-19 week 2 victory away against Tapuae.
Inside Grant, Loffler will play his 30th game for HSOB and second five Rylan Tuwairua-Brown will bring up 40 caps.
Liam Beattie will be at halfback for HSOB, with regular skipper and No 9 George Halley coming off the bench.
Beattie, on the wing, and Hudson, at loosehead prop, scored tries in the sides’ last meeting in 2025 – HSOB’s win retaining the Carmichael Cup that goes on the line in round 2.
“We want the right attitude from our boys and for them to play what’s in front of them,” said Poverty Bay rugby legend and one-club man Ngatu, who will be making his first start in a competition match for the Green and Whites this season at No.8.
Ngātapa will have a new skipper in Jock Dodgshun, who is deputising for the absent Jack Twigley (who will not be alone in his game bird season-opening pursuit of ducks).
Dodgshun, who normally plays at blindside flanker, will accommodate Jack Hamilton and move to the openside.
Hamilton, Dodgshun and Ngatu form a loose forward trio to be reckoned with.
Fearless and entertaining Japanese player Tsugunosuke Hirai will control the backline from first five.
The game will be controlled by Wairoa-based referee Ben Holt with Ray Young and Gisborne Boys’ High student Joel Kirkpatrick his assistants.
High School Old Boys, 1-15: Franco Ludwig, Matekairoa McGuire, Viliami Mosaati, Fletcher Scammell (cc), Leka Palusa, Sio Palusa, Ryan Jones, Siosiua Moala, Liam Beattie, Cohen Loffler (cc), Josaia Bosaka Tikicidre, Rylan Tuwairua-Brown, Braedyn Grant, Bryan Howard, Matthew Proffit. Res: Salesi Niuvao, Mango Halofonua, James Grogan, Zyden Worsnop, Viliami Kavai, George Halley, Jacob Leaf/Kye Symes.
Ngātapa, 1-15: Lance Dickson, Ben Johnson, Sam Hudson, Lachlan Johnson, Logan Spencer, Jack Hamilton, Jock Dodgshun (c), Sione Ngatu, Willie Short, Tsugunosuke Hirai, Sam Twigley, Te Pirihi Puke-Riki, Angus Chapman, Angus Lowe, Mosese Bulicakau. Res: Alex Chrisp, Campbell Chrisp, Leon Kerr, TBC, Hamish Mead, TBC, TBC.
