Rugby: Whangarei Boys' High School First XV rout Birkenhead College 87-0

WBHS second five Kalani Pou-Fagavao scored a hat-trick in the 87-0 win over Birkenhead College. Photo / Alan Bee

Whangarei Boys' High School First XV consolidated third place on the Harbour 1A leaderboard with a rout over Birkenhead College.

WBHS were clinical throughout, running in 15 tries in the 87-0 romp.

Travelling down the line for the contest, WBHS were looking to bounce back from a galling 25-20 loss to Takapuna and got off to a flying start.

A well-set scrum and subsequent rolling maul set up the opening try to captain Allan Craig, the lock stretching out to start their account in the early exchanges.

Tries began to flow as WBHS set up camp inside Birkenhead. They were only temporarily displaced from there when Birkenhead mustered the occasional line break.

Second five Kalani Pou-Fagavao was a handful for the defence, dominating the attacking side of the ball and scoring his first soon after Craig's effort.

By halftime WBHS had raced out to a 43-0 lead in a half featuring seven tries.

The second half rarely broke from the first half's script as WBHS continued to penetrate the Birkenhead line.

The backline in particular were nearly impossible to contain as they strung together impressive set plays with ease as they finally got a chance to stretch their legs after weeks of wet weather rugby and forward-dominated matches.

Milton Leef provided the highlight of the afternoon with an 80-metre intercept try while Pou-Fagavao completed a hat-trick. Craig, Lucas Thompson and Kiani Ranui each added a brace to the total while Rocky Olsen slotted five conversions.

Coach Harry Darkins said while the backline finally got unleashed, the grunt work done up front was key.

"Even though the backs had been released, the forwards were consistent in their endeavours," he said.

"These guys have been a huge asset to the team and in much of the competition have been a challenge to any team with their control at line out and scrum.

"They too were able to add some flair to their game and there was some excellent structure and forward dominance."

WBHS return home for their next outing, taking on Rangitoto College.

WBHS 87 (Kalani Pou-Fagavao 3, Allan Craig 2, Lucas Thompson 2, Kiani Ranui 2, Ethan Wikaira, Walton Edwards, Ben West, Joe Squires, Milton Leef, Dylan Hook, Blake Williamson tries, Rocky Olsen 5 con, Max Brunker con)
Birkenhead College 0
HT: 43-0