Bradley, first 15 trainer under Ryan Tapsell, was pleased with his skipper and rapt with his team, whose performance saw them take the prized Pene Whaipooti Memorial Cup.
“Max leads by example. His communication to the boys is clear and his high rugby IQ, along with his physical attributes, will see him have a good post-high school rugby career,” Bradley said.
“We started slowly and found our groove but I have a lot of respect for NPEC. Many of our players are coming off 15-plus games against New Zealand’s top school sides, where the Coast boys aren’t exposed to that level of competition.
“Jackson has the ability to make the tackle and get to his feet and our first-five Carlos Hihi was also impressive. He created opportunities for our back-line. He made seven of eight kicks at goal attempts.”
Briant won the toss and Poverty Bay opted to play with the wind at their backs. Coast skipper openside flanker Frank Davoren choosing to kick off.
McDonald, centre John Horua and rake Nathaniel Hauiti all scored two tries apiece, with one each to Hihi and reserve blindside flanker Paul Tovio. Hihi landed seven of eight conversion attempts.
Poverty Bay led 28-0 at half-time, 2021 GBHS first 15 captain Hauiti scoring their first try at the 10-minute mark. Thereafter the Bay scored in the 23rd, 28th and 31st minutes with Hihi converting all four tries.
In the second half, the home team dotted down in the 38th minute and 45th minute before the Sky Blues’ mighty scrum-anchor Keaton Mcllroy cut the line 57 minutes in. Poverty Bay scored twice more — in the 61st and 65th minutes of play.
But the last word went to the visitors’ 6ft 8in second-rower Kyah Hollis. His try, 68 minutes in, was fine reward for a spirited crew whose captain was thoroughly deserving of their MVP award.
Throughout, it was a quick game which featured both an excellent contest between both sets of forwards, and enterprising play by both sets of backs. Poverty Bay referee Isaac Hughes — a native of Tokomaru Bay who controlled the Hurricanes u16 Don Broughton Shield Final Hawke’s Bay versus Manawatu — was clear, decisive and calm.
NPEC coach Jesse Haenga has given loyal quality service at age-group level for a number of years, and he knows true grit when he sees it.
“We played basically a first 15, with that type of structure: compare that to our side, many of whom played with each other for the first time on Saturday.
“We made Poverty Bay work for their win. We were gutsy, but they were well-drilled.”
