Rugby: Hastings Boys book place in semis

Hastings Boys' High School secured a spot in the semifinals after Saturday's 22-7 win against Gisborne Boys' High School in Gisborne. Photo / Warren Buckland

Hastings Boys' High School's 1st XV rugby side secured an August 20 Hurricanes semifinal in the national top 16 competition with Saturday's 22-7 win against Gisborne Boys' High School in Gisborne.

This was the HBHS team's first win in Gisborne since 2004, their 11th of the season and their third consecutive with a bonus point in the Super 8. HBHS manager Steve Small said the visitors went up another notch from the previous week's win against Napier Boys' High School and Gisborne didn't score their try until the final 10 minutes.

"We were outstanding at the breakdown and good in the contact area. Our skill level and execution of these skills has gone up from previous seasons thanks to the work of coaches Mark Ozich and Tafai Ioasa," Small added.

Powerful tighthead prop Aleki Vuki, busy winger Trent Hape, fullback Danny Toala and midfield back Liam Udy-Johns scored the visitors' tries and Toala kicked a conversion.

The HBHS 2nd XV beat their Gisborne counterparts 24-20 to remain unbeaten in Super 8 play this season. The HBHS under-15s drew 15-all and the under-14s won 13-10.

Quality defence was the key to Napier Boys' High School's 1st XV's 12-7 Super 8 win against Tauranga Boys' College in Napier on Saturday.

Winger Samuela Korosigasiga and first five-eighth Zarn Sullivan scored tries for NBHS and winger Brayden Cunningham kicked a conversion.

Loosehead prop Tim Farrell and Humphrey Sheild, who had stints at fullback and halfback, were the best of the NBHS players.

Tauranga took an early 7-0 lead but Napier fought back well to establish their lead.

"I couldn't fault our defensive work particularly for that 25-minute period in the second half when Tauranga were camped in our 22," NBHS coach Russell Hewitt said.