League: Kamo battle back to force draw with Boys' High

Bay of Islands College's Xavier Nilsson-Cherrington in full flight versus Tikipunga High School. Photo / John Stone

The heat turned up several notches for the recent top-of-the-table NorthTec Adam Blair rugby league clash between Whangarei Boys' High School and Kamo College at Rugby Park.

Played on a hot Wednesday afternoon, a fast and furious start by the hosts brought two early tries and dominant field position before Kamo rallied to counter the strong and often wide-ranging attacks from a determined Boys' High pack.

Winning some ball of their own, Kamo staged their own challenge in the middle with prop Ariki Hughes leading the charge with powerful running and honest lines to draw the opposition defenders and score some tries of their own.

By the end of the first half the try count was three to two, with the hosts in front 16-12.

The first-half effort and heat took its toll as an arm-wrestle ensued between the two evenly matched sides.

Kamo High's defence stayed resolute as Boys' High failed to cross the line in the second half, even after wide passes by the hosts found their flying winger Matthew Harrison.

A penalty goal mid-second half extended the Boys' High scoreline to a converted try difference, and both sides continued to battle before Kamo scored and captain James Witehira converted to level the score.

Intensity escalated as the clock was running down, and mistakes saw the ball change hands at critical times with no further points scored - the match finishing in an 18-all draw.

In other round four results, Dargaville High School enjoyed a 48-24 win over newcomers Te Kapehu Whetu, while Bay of Islands College beat Tikipunga High School, 40-8. In the North Pool, Northland College beat Okaihau College 42-26, and TKKM/Taipa enjoyed a tight 36-32 win over Kaitaia Abundant Life School.

Broadwood Area School defaulted to Kaitaia College and Bream Bay and Whangaroa College had byes.