Editorial: Hard lesson for Boys' 1st XV side

Hastings vs Rotorua on the weekend was a gut wrenching game.

There is an old saying that richly describes sport - it's not over until the fat lady sings. Unfortunately for Hastings Boys' High School's 1st XV, they learned this lesson the hard way.

Although to be fair it wasn't entirely their own making. The side travelled to Rotorua at the weekend to take on Super 8 rugby rivals Rotorua Boys' High School. As it happens I was in Rotorua, visiting my family, so decided to head down and watch the game.

It would be fair to say Hastings had the better of the Rotorua side for 80 minutes of the match leading 23-15.

However, the referee who is the soul judge of time appeared to be in a different time zone to Hastings Boys' High, letting the game go on and on. Hastings tried to hold out but with a penalty count going in favour of the home side 20-8, it was only a matter of time before Rotorua scored in the corner. Rotorua were unsuccessful with the conversion and many looked to the referee to blow full-time.

But that was not the case, instead the ref looked at his watch and sprinted to the half way.

From the kickoff, Rotorua took the ball inside their 22, crashed it up the left flank for two phases before they unleashed their backline. Now for most of the match Rotorua struggled to find continuity throwing 50-50 passes which were dropped. But on this occasion the centre managed to get on the outside of his man and gave his right winger space. Eventually running about 70m to score under the post and ending the match with Rotorua in the lead 27-23.

It was gut wrenching for the Hastings boys and pure jubilation for the victors. Hastings Boys' High School's 1st XV co-coach Tony McBride has called for neutral referees for future fixtures which, on the face of it, is a fair call.