Rugby: Centre's erasing hard times for HBHS

ONE TO GO: Hastings Boys' High School first XV players show composure before tomorrow's final storm against Mt Albert Grammar School in Palmerston North. PHOTO/Paul Taylor

HOW appropriate it was for centre Hunta Marsh to have the final say as Hastings Boys' High School's 1st XV rugby team yesterday secured a berth in the national final for the first time.

Marsh scored a try a minute from fulltime to give Hastings Boys' High School an 18-10 win against Hamilton Boys' High School in their semifinal at the Rugby Institute in Palmerston North. Super 8 and Hurricanes champions Hastings will play Mount Albert Grammar in tomorrow's final at the same venue in the wake of their 41-0 drubbing against Southland Boys' High School in their semifinal.

A third-year member of the team, which has recorded 18 consecutive wins this season, Marsh, 18, experienced more lows than highs in his previous two seasons. Last year the side recorded four wins in Super 8 fixtures and in 2014 three wins and a draw. His father, Matt Marsh, was one of the team's assistant coaches in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

"There's certainly been some tough times in the past. But this is unreal ... it feels special," Marsh said as two busloads of fellow students from his school continued to display their elation.

As has been the case with each member of the Mark Ozich-Tafai Ioasa-coached team throughout this season Marsh downplayed his own contribution and heaped kudos on the entire squad.

"I just had to catch the ball and put it down. This win was a result of all our squad doing their job and there was awesome impact off the bench."

Marsh intends to join the navy in Auckland next year but has yet to choose a club. Should he reproduce yesterday's form tomorrow, he can expect Auckland clubs to start chasing him.

When quizzed about his team's chances against Mount Albert, Marsh, replied: "We've got something in mind ... it should be a good game."

Hastings manager Steve Small, who is hoping for a national-title farewell after five seasons with the team, agreed Mount Albert will be a big hill to climb.

"But the boys are up for it. Hamilton brought more hunger today than when we beat them in the Super 8 final. Our never-say-die approach got us there and we will need that again on Sunday."

Small also agreed a 61st minute penalty dished out by former Hawke's Bay Tuis and Black Ferns first five-eighth Rebecca Mahoney for a dangerous tackle by Hastings winger Trent Hape was "a bit dicey". Fortunately for Hastings, Hamilton fullback Joshua Moorby's attempt bounced off the upright. Had he succeeded and the score remained 13-all Hamilton would have been awarded the victory as they scored the first try through winger Kieran Lee in the 19th minute which Moorby converted to give Hamilton a 7-6 lead.

Hastings fullback Danny Toala, who was always dangerous in general play and finished with three successes from four attempts at goal in windy conditions, had earlier kicked penalties in the second and ninth minutes.

There were worried looks among several Hastings supporters after two try-scoring opportunities had been bombed within the first 17 minutes. Vice-captain and first five-eighth Lincoln McClutchie was denied in the 12th minute when Mahoney correctly ruled Marsh had made a forward pass to McClutchie.

There were more anxious looks as workaholic Hastings openside flanker Xavier Hill was penalised for being offside in the 27th minute and Moorby extended Hamilton's lead. His team was guilty of kicking too much possession away in the late stages of the first half.

At the start of the second half Hastings kept the ball in hand more and were prepared to be patient and build phases. This approach was rewarded in the 39th minute (these matches have 35-minute halves) when flanker Donovan Mataira scored and Toala added the conversion.

With Hill and No8 Devan Flanders inspirational, Hastings' defensive intensity increased in the second half and their scrambling defence was spot on.

Halfback Folau Fakatava, who is one of four finalists for the national secondary schools player-of-the-year, was the player-of-the-match. His distribution was classy both ways, he was always a threat on the snipe, his option taking was superb and his defence gutsy.

Marsh and second five-eighth Liam Udy-Johns were rocks on defence. Captain and loosehead prop Kianu Kereru-Symes again led his troops by example.

"I'm rapt for the boys because we were under the pump for the last five minutes. We've been excited all week and the boys are still buzzing," Kereru-Symes added as his teammates continued to congratulate each other.

Busy No8 Mark McCurran, another finalist for the national award, was the best of the Hamilton players. Fellow loosies Connor Loomans and Joe Vaka had memorable moments.

Loosehead prop Austin Pepperell was a powerful scrummager. Moorby and captain and first five-eighth Rameka Poihipi were the pick of the Hamilton backs.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

Heartstopper: Referee Rebecca Mahoney's 61st-minute penalty against Hastings wing Trent Hape for a dangerous tackle. It wasn't warranted and fortunately Hamilton fullback Joshua Moorby's attempt bounced off the upright. Had it succeeded and the score remained 13-all, Hamilton would have been awarded the victory because they scored the first try.

Turning point: Hastings centre Hunta Marsh's try a minute from fulltime. This thriller could have gone either way until then.

Player of the match: Hastings halfback Folau Fakatava. Always a threat on the snipe, superb option taking and some gutsy defence.

Scorers: Hastings Boys' High School 18 (Donovan Mataira, Hunta Marsh tries; Danny Toala 2 pens, con) Hamilton Boys' High School 10 (Kieran Lee try; Joshua Moorby con, pen).

Halftime: Hamilton 10-6.