Western Height High School 1st XV player Brodie Woods scores on Saturday. Photo/Ben Fraser
Western Height High School 1st XV player Brodie Woods scores on Saturday. Photo/Ben Fraser
The prestigious Te Kani Shield remains in the hands of Western Heights High School 1st XV after they beat Te Whare Kura o Mauao on home soil on Saturday.
The home side held onto the challenge competition trophy after sliding over for a total of three tries taking the final score to 20-7.
And the win saw Western Heights reap revenge on their first round defeat in the competition to their opponents and defend the Dick Little Trophy they won last year.
"It was a tough grind out there today because everyone was eager to get the result but we just had that extra quality when it was needed," said Western Heights High School coach Steve Smith.
"Today our defence won us the game. Everybody gave everything and really left everything on the field.
"Our scrum and lineout was also very good which gave us an upper hand at crucial times in the match.
Western Heights High School 1st XV player Liam Preston and his side keep their hands on the Te Kani Shield after beating Te Whare Kura o Mauao on Saturday.
"We now will look to hold onto the trophy throughout the season. I certainly think we are playing well enough tactically."
Western Heights took the lead after 15 minutes thanks to a Reuben Griffiths penalty kick.
And 10 minutes later, number 8 Alex Buckley slid over from a TJ Scheepers offload after a strong Western Heights lineout - taking the home side into a 8-0 lead.
Te Whare Kura o Mauao did pose a dangerous attacking threat and should have scored in the 37th minute of the game however lock Cruise Clark knocked the ball on, right on the tryline.
Western Heights started the stronger of the two after the interval and extended their lead when impressive back Brodie Woods broke through and darted past several struggling defenders to crash over the line after 45 minutes, which was converted by Liam Preston.
However the away side started to come back into the game, helped by the sin binning of Western Heights' Buckley after a dangerous tackle.
And nifty Te Ruki Waikaho seized his chance in the 75th minute breaking free of several last ditch tackles to sprint over the line taking the score to 15-7 after a conversion.
But any hopes of a dramatic come back were dashed three minutes later when Western Heights inside centre Damel Taui pounced on a loose Te Whare Kura o Mauao pass right on their tryline.
Te Whare Kura o Mauao coach Heywood Kuka wasn't too disappointed with the result and was particularly impressed with the performance of 15-year-old Te Apa Rua Tata who was playing as the out-side centre.
"I think it was a fair result today. Western Heights had the lions share of the possession and we made too many mistakes.
"I was delighted to see Te Apa get on so well. Bringing talented youngsters through, it's what it's all about. He has a bright future ahead of him.
"We will go back to the drawing board now and I think it will be about getting the boys to believe in themselves more."
