Kaitaia College 21 Kerikeri 19 (ht 18-12): Hard, fast, uncompromising. This intensely contested encounter between arch rivals Kaitaia College and Kerikeri High School in Kaitaia last Wednesday afternoon was evidence that secondary school rugby was alive and kicking in Northland.
And with the lead changing hands throughout andthe commitment from both teams' players both daunting and inspiring, no one watching from the sideline was going to leave before the ref blew the final whistle in this week 3 clash from the Northland 1st XV series.
Kaitaia's winning points eventually came from a late penalty kicked by Mitchell Jurlina, won after the home side - which had worn some considerable pressure from a rampant Kerikeri XV for most of the second spell - slowly forced its way out of its own half.
Kaitaia College coach Dave Jurlina described the grinding out of the win as one of the "most gutsiest performances" of the season so far, but a "deserved" result considering the home side created the greater scoring opportunities. Tries: Sean Windleborn-Rawiri, Hamish Pomare, Shelford Murray, penalties: Mitchell Jurlina 2.
Afterwards, Kerikeri player Matt Sullivan said the disappointment of defeat was surmounted by the fact that both teams had delivered state-of-the-art 1st XV rugby. "I thought the [Kerikeri] boys played really well, played with a lot of heart."
Kerikeri tries by Nick Pratt, Daniel Brock (the lock earning POTD) and one other; conv: Jesse Rihari 2; while also notable was captain Tom Robinson.
A number of players from both Far North schools will be seen playing alongside each other in the North Zone under-18 team which takes on its South Zone counterparts in Kerikeri tomorrow night.
Current 1st XV standings are, Far North: Kaitaia (played 3) 14, Kerikeri High (3) 7, Okaihau College (2) 4, Bay of Islands College (2) 0; South Zone: Kamo (2) 10, Dargaville (2) 5, Ruawai College (2) 0.
The fortnightly competition resumes in Northland wide fashion on Wednesday, June 27.
