Under-15s being noticed

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RUGBY

People sat up and began taking notice quite some time ago.

The Duane Hihi-coached Gisborne Boys’ High School under-15s have shone so far this rugby season.

They beat Rotorua Boys’ High 29-19 at the Rectory and were the only GBHS team to win on the day.

Gisborne Boys’ High tryscorers were fullback John Horua, with a double, left wing Izaiah Fox, blindside flanker Reuben Whaitiri and tighthead prop Uetaha Wanoa. Captain and first five-eighth Carlos Hihi and MVP (most valuable player) and centre King Maxwell kicked a conversion each.

Gisborne led 17-5 at halftime.

The u15s also beat Palmerston North BHS 32-19 in Gisborne on May 25 and today, on form, stood the best chance of a Super 8 win away to Hastings BHS.

The Hastings u15s lost 25-7 to Napier BHS last Saturday but before that had beaten St Patrick’s College (Silverstream), Wellington College and Palmerston North BHS.

Gisborne Boys’ High u14s lost 69-0 to Rotorua BHS and today in Hastings they faced the Super 8 u14 champions of the past two years, who have won eight of eight in 2019.

The Hastings second 15, like their first 15, have won two out of two in Super 8 competition to date. They won 49-14 at the Rectory last year, while their first 15 won 24-13 in 2018.

First-five Bryan Howard was the only GBHS second 15 player to score in the 78-14 loss to Rotorua. Gisborne were also awarded a penalty try.

Rotorua beat the first 15 57-5.