Rugby Tapuae v HSOB -
The High School Old Boys revival continues with a 112-0 demolition of Tapuae in premier rugby at the Oval on Saturday.
But the size of the 18-try victory over bottom-placed Roseland Tavern Tapuae makes it hard to gauge just how much Earthwork Solutions HSOB have improved.
Coach Jamie Hutana’s squad has been boosted with the return of former Poverty Bay representatives and HSOB regulars of the past but the real test of their resurgence will come when they play Waikohu, YMP, Ngatapa and OBM,
They play Ngatapa side who have been hit with serious injuries (see back page) on Saturday.
HSOB manager Jonathan Poole, who has put on the boots this season as the side struggled for players, said the win was a “good one in terms of team morale, scoring a few points and getting players back”.
“One of the pleasing aspects of this game was the fact that we stuck to our structures when it could have been so easy to go away from them.
“The game was over by halftime, when we were 50-odd points up. It was good to see some of the new players — Isi Pofele, Fale Toleafoa, Tyler Henare, Will Hocquard and Hayden Stuart, who has come back to help out — get on the scoresheet.”
Toleafoa and club stalwart James Warren each bagged three tries, while Stefan Destounis, Andrew Tauatevalu and skipper Jody Tuhaka each dotted down twice. Other tryscorers were Pofele, Zane Boyle, Henare, Korey Love, Stuart and Hocquard.
Tauatevalu kicked six conversions and Corey Reihana landed five.
Tapuae coach Frank King was enjoying a beer when The Gisborne Herald caught up with him after the game.
“Physically we’re tough enough; mentally we’re still struggling with the step up from senior one to premier, but we’ll keep battling on.
“We’ve got a core group of 15 who turn up regularly, including Wayne Hema, Carlos Carroll and Nicholas Ojeda, who picked up our three, two and one points today.”
GT Shearing Waikohu coach Jason Tuapawa was not happy with the way his competition leaders started their game against Charteris Choppers Athletic at Te Karaka.
“The boys needed a rark-up at halftime after we struggled to go in 12-3 up,” said Tuapawa, whose side eventually won 46-8.
“It’s not what we expect. We have set certain standards this season and we know that teams are going out to deny us possession and slow the game down, but we have to adapt and we didn’t do that until the second half.”
Skipper Ethine Reeves, who helped himself to a hat-trick of tries, was awarded three points for player of the day. Richard Green collected two and Jesse Fleming, one.
Athletic coach Jimmy Whaitiri’s plan going into the game was to deny Waikohu possession.
“The thing is we didn’t get enough ball to do that,” said Whaitiri.
“They’re a vey good team. We did OK for the first 40 got up and knocked them over but then their forwards and backs stepped up and took the game away from us.”
Although on the losing side flanker Jesse Kapene, who scored a try continued his good form and was player of the day, followed by lock Adam Sainsbury and centre Shaun Taylor.
Kurt Taylor kicked a penalty.
The Waikohu scorers were not available.