Rugby: Centre runs riot as Napier Boys' High School retain banner

Napier Boys' High School first five-eighth Henry Williams slices through the Palmerston North Boys' High School defence today. Photo/Paul Taylor

Napier Boys' High School 1st XV rugby coach Brendon Ratcliffe urged the Hawke's Bay Magpies coaches to act fast in their quest for centre Leo Thompson's signature.

"Leo was a colossus today. The Magpies had better sign him up quickly because he won't be short of offers after that display on live television," former Magpies mentor Ratcliffe said after NBHS retained the Polson Banner and booked an away Super 8 final with Hamilton Boys' High School on August 11 with today's 36-19 win against Palmerston North Boys' High School in Napier.

Thompson regularly busted the Palmy defensive line and it often required two or three defenders to halt his progress. He was a rock on defence and it was only while he was on the sideline having a cut to the forehead stitched up that the Palmy backs had regular patches of freedom.

Like his twin brother, captain and hooker Tyrone Thompson, who scored two tries yesterday, Thompson, is a third-year 1st XV player and has never played in a losing game for the banner, one of the oldest interschool rugby trophies in the country.

"That's a draw and two wins for me. The boys played a good game and now we can look forward to a Super 8 final ... we'll be up for it," Thompson said.

Prop Patrick Teddy had Napier's first try within two minutes as the hosts forwards stamped their authority on the match early. The cohesive Napier pack provided quality ball for halfback Treyah Kingi-Taukamo to distribute with class to a backline which impressed with its decision-making.

First five-eighth Henry Williams was outstanding and deserved his two tries. He will return to school next year for a third season of 1st XV rugby.

Lock Frank Lochore, a grandson of All Black legend Sir Brian Lochore, was again a workaholic and openside flanker Sam Henderson was just as effective out wide as he was on the ground tussling for the loose ball. The only concern for Napier was captain Thompson's three poor lineout throws.

There's no doubt he will make the New Zealand Secondary Schools side later in the season. Any more games with three missed targets or more could be the difference between the Hurricanes under-18 squad member pulling on the jersey with the No 16 rather than the No 2 when it comes time to wear the silver fern.

Ratcliffe won't have the services of winger Pereiha Hubbard for the August 11 game as he has an automatic three-week stand down after being knocked out in his collision with Leo Thompson which delayed play for seven minutes. Substitute winger Caleb Turner will be doubtful with his hamstring strain.
Ratcliffe's troops finished the Super 8 round robin with six wins and a loss. Their only loss was 29-15 against Hamilton Boys' High School.

Palmy winger Will Treder had plenty of gas but his opportunities were limited because of Napier's accurate line speed. Substitute midfield back Max Harris had a couple of lever runs for the visitors but he was fortunate Leo Thompson was on the sideline by the time he was introduced to the game.

PNBHS assistant coach Blair van Stipriaan admitted his lads were too passive defensively in the first half.

"But I was proud of our fight back. There was a glimmer there for a while and then Napier went back to their work."

He believed Napier had a chance of beating Hamilton in their final.

"That's the beauty of this year's Super 8. Any of the teams can beat any of the others on any given day. No team is dominant like Hamilton and Hastings have been in the past."
Scorers:
NBHS 36 (Tyrone Thompson 2, Henry Williams 2, Patrick Teddy, Sam Henderson tries; Keegan Christian-Goss 3 cons), PNBHS 19 (Ruben Love, Trevor Shane Baker, Mitch Leach tries; Stewart Cruden 2 cons). HT: 26-0.