NBHS maintain grip on rugby's Moascar Cup

Napier's Ethyn Martin. College rugby, Hastings Boys' High School v Napier Boys' High School (blue). 1 August 2020 Hawke's Bay Today Photograph by Paul Taylor

The Napier Boys' High School 1st XV have successfully defended premier inter-schools challenge rugby trophy the Moascar Cup for the first time in a new reign, beating Tauranga Boys' College 22-10 in Napier.

Playing with the wind in the first half on Saturday at the Napier school, the home side led 17-5 at halftime and each side scored just a single try after the break.

First-half tries were scored by wing Ethyn Martin and fullback Afa Moleli, each converted by first five-eighths Carlos Kemp, who also kicked a penalty. The second-half try was scored by tighthead prop Mitch Curran.

Tauranga's first try was scored by hooker Jay-Reeve Mose, and the second-half five-pointer went to captain and lock Curtis Palmer.

It was Napier's third win in a row at the start of the 2020 central North Island boys' schools' Super 8 competition, including winning the cup on August 1 in an annual Hawke's Bay derby match by beating previous holders Hastings BHS 15-10 in Hastings.

This Saturday Napier BHS have a crucial away match against near-perennial Super 8 champion Hamilton BHS, who also went into the weekend unbeaten after two games and who are aiming for a 13th Super 8 rugby title in 15 years.

Napier's second defence of the Moascar Cup will be a home match against Palmerston North BHS on August 22.