Hastings lock Josh Leach makes a deft dive over the top to score Hastings Boys' High School's only try. Photo / Paul Taylor
Hastings lock Josh Leach makes a deft dive over the top to score Hastings Boys' High School's only try. Photo / Paul Taylor
It was the game of two quarters as the Hamilton Boys' High School first fifteen kept their vice-like grip on the North Island provincial schools Super 8 rugby title in Hastings yesterday.
Home side Hastings BHS, winner of all seven games in the round-robin series after failing to score asingle victory in the competition last year, dominated the first quarter, but failed to score. But they did lead 10-0 at halftime, opening with a penalty goal to first five-eighths Hoera Stephenson who then converted what was to be Hastings' only try, scored by lock Josh Leach.
Defending and near-perennial champion Hamilton, beaten twice in the round robin, dominated the third quarter, and did score - twice - to win the match 12-10.
In what was a game of fairly solid pace and urgency, Hamilton ripped into it straight after halftime and soon had a try to hooker Moses McGoon, converted by first five-eighths and captain Taha Kemara. Hooker and co-captain, Sean Ralph, scored the second try soon afterwards.
Hamilton fans delight in their side's come from behind win. Photo / Paul Taylor
It was Hamilton's fifth Super 8 win in a row, including 2017 in which honours were shared in a 12-12 draw with Hastings, whose win 12 months earlier was only the second time Hastings had not won the final since their first triumph in 2006.
On Saturday's strengthening southwesterly, Hastings' story was effectively told in that first 15-20 minutes when the whole 15 appeared to have answered the call from coach and former New Zealand Sevens representative and Hawke's Bay Magpies NPC player Tafai Ioasa for a step-up from the previous weekend's 18-13 away win over Hamilton.
But they were unable to finish quality moves to convert the effort into points.
While Hastings have a week off before the Hurricanes franchise schools final and national Top 4 qualifier, Hamilton have a Waikato schools final next week against St Paul's Collegiate, of Hamilton.
Hastings manager Jason Bird was quick to congratulate Hamilton, saying that although it was disappointing to lose the final after winning all other seven games in the competition, Hamilton was "outstanding" and deserved the win.
