Rugby: HBHS roll continues

Our Turn: Napier Boys' High School winger wing Daniel Sharplin attempts to outsmart the Hamilton Boys' High School defence in Napier today. Photo/Warren Buckland

Defending champions Hastings Boys' High School recorded their fourth consecutive win in the Super 8 rugby competition with a 53-0 drubbing of Rotorua Boys' High School in Hastings today.

The hosts ran in nine tries as they posted their 13th consecutive win for the season. While Hastings again produced some impressive ball handling and support play in difficult weather conditions delighted manager and former Magpies halfback Jason Bird said it was the defensive work of his troops which was the most pleasing aspect of the victory.

"To keep a good team like Rotorua to zero was a good effort."

Blindside flanker Liam Udy-Johns had a huge defensive workrate for the Hastings team which has scored 778 points in 13 games while conceding 50. Impressive No 8 Devan Flanders was again full of authority in all aspects of play and displayed his versatility by playing the final eight minutes on the wing.

Winger Kini Naholo was again dangerous and scored two tries to take his season tally to 32. Fullback Danny Toala and first five-eighth Loincoln McClutchie again proved why they are in the frame for New Zealand Secondary Schools team selection.

Rotorua's best players were lock Stephen Schwenke and second five-eighth Tom Ale.
The team expected to push Hastings in the Super 8, Hamilton Boys' High School, beat Napier Boys' High School 55-8 in Napier.

Scorers:
Hastings Boys' High School 53 (Kini Naholo 2, Folau Fakatava 2, Jeriah Mua, Lincoln McClutchie, Danny Toala, Trent Hape, Devan Flanders tries; Danny Toala 3, Jordan Thompson-Dunn cons), Rotorua Boys' High School 0. HT: 27-0.