Tough first day for Gisborne Boys’ High

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

Gisborne Boys' High kicked off the Condor 7s national secondary schools competition with a win and three losses in Auckland yesterday.

Two Gisborne schools are competing — Gisborne Boys High in the open boys division and Gisborne Girls' High School in the u15 girls' division.

GBHS,won one pool game and lost three on the opening day of the King's College-hosted event.

Coach Luke Bradley said it was a tough first day but the boys fought hard and could hold their heads high.

In their first game, GBHS held St Peter's College scoreless in the first half but the Aucklanders ran away in the second half to win 36-5.

“In the second half they showed their skill and blew us out of the water,” said Bradley.

GBHS bounced back with a 24-12 win over New Plymouth's Francis Douglas Memorial College.

They lost their next two games — 24-7 to Timaru Boys' High and 36-0 to De La Salle College of Auckland.

Bradley said the other teams in their pool were well-drilled and fit.

“Fitness-wise, they're up to it. It's just the mental fatigue of four games against top-level teams. That comes with experience of multiple tournaments.”

GBHS have not been to the national tournament in seven years.

They were back in action this morning against New Plymouth Boys' High School, who they beat several weeks ago at the Super-8 sevens.

Gisborne Girls' High get their campaign under way today.

They play Feilding High, Auckland Girls' Grammar, Hastings Girls' High and St Peter's College, Cambridge.

Coverage of the tournament is live on Sky or live-streaming through Sky Sport Next on Youtube.