Whangarei Boys' High School's league team have made a steady start to their NZRL National Secondary Schools Tournament preparations with a 24-20 win over Tokoroa High School.
Starting strongly, WBHS showed why they are the best secondary school team in Northland with some abrasive running and impressive plays.
After theyled 20-4 at halftime, a last-quarter lapse by the tiring Boys' High let Tokoroa claw their way back into the game and within reach of an upset victory.
Making full use of their interchange throughout the match, WBHS captain Caleb Aekins wasn't surprised to see his boys gasping for air come the fulltime whistle.
"There were some tired lungs out there. We kept them wrapped up in the first half but needed to work on keeping it up in the second half."
WBHS were put on the back foot by some impressive Tokoroa players stepping and dummying their way to the tryline, but their flustered defensive line managed to hang on and avoid too many errors to lock in the win.
The NZRL National Secondary Schools Tournament is at Papakura's Bruce Pulman Park, August 31-September 4.
