Taking positives from narrow defeat

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

AFTER four successive wins Gisborne Boys’ High School first 15 team have lost consecutive games — going down 14-12 to St Pat’s Town in Palmerston North in the first of three Hurricanes festival weekends.

“It was a game that could have gone either way,” said Ngati Porou Seafoods GBHS coach Tom Cairns. “It was 7-all at halftime but could have been 10-7 to us if Austin Brown’s penalty attempt had not hit the crossbar and come back into play.

“We dominated large parts of the second half but need to be more ruthless in our opposition’s strike zone. We were happy with the performance. It was a tough, close game and the boys are learning from all these games.”

Gisborne play St Pat’s Silverstream in Wellington on Saturday and Cairns said the boys were looking forward to the challenge match.

“There was a lot of good things that came out of the St Pat’s Town game, which we will be looking at implementing this weekend. Our work at the breakdown was better than it has been.”

Cairns said No.8 Quade Tapsell, openside flanker Jakob Teneti, who took over as captain from the injured Naera Tipoki, blindside loosie Jeremy David, hooker Colby Putnam, tighthead prop Joseph Mason, lock Gabe Te Kani, fullback Moses Christie and midfielder Tame Curtis, until he was injured, played well.

“Joe had some big carries. Joe and Manahi Tipoki (halfback) gave us good momentum. Unfortunately Tame, who, along with Nathan Rangihuna, shut down St Pat’s dangerous midfield, landed heavily on his ankle in a tackle. We’ll have to wait to see if he will be Ok for this weekend.

Left winger Luke Bird continued his good form with a try, which first five-eighth Brown converted to level the scores after St Pat’s scored out wide.

“We had the better of the opening spell in the second half and went ahead when Moses scored an unconverted try only for St Pat’s to reclaim the lead with a converted try with 10 minutes to play.

“We had a couple of chances to score tries and win the game but couldn’t quite finish off,” Cairns said. But there’s no need to throw the baby out with the bathwater. We’re still building towards the Super 8 and it’s exciting.”