Super 8 rugby
Napier Boys' High School's 1st XV rugby side maintained their unbeaten Super 8 run with a hard fought 26-12 win against Tauranga Boys College in Napier today.
While it was Napier's third consecutive win in the comp head coach Brendon Ratcliffe agreed it was nowhere nearf as clinical as the previous week's 27-7 win against joint defending champions Hastings Boys' High School.
"It was a bit rough and it took us three quarters of the game to get going. Tauranga Boys brought heaps of line speed," Ratcliffe said.
Captain and hooker Tyrone Thompson was again inspirational in the Napier pack where No 8 Luke Russell and flanker Josh Gilmblett were also valuable. Second five-eighth Keegan Christian-Goss operated well in the winning backline, scored a crucial try and kicked three conversions. Winger Jayden Stok also had an admirable workrate.
Flanker Vaughtin Patena-Fortune, No 8 Shi Je Yong and prop Kaharoa Takuira-mita were all prominent in a Tauranga pack which enjoyed long periods of dominance. Halfback Louis Grindrod was outstanding in the visiting backline.
Scorers:
NBHS 26 (Jayden Stok, Josh Gimblett, Keegan Christian-Goss, Patrick Teddy tries; Christian-Goss 3 cons), Tauranga Boys College 12 (Vaughtin Patena-Fortune, Kaharoa Takuira-mita tries; Izahn Le Compte con). HT: 5-all.