Boys' High retain Chiefs Cup with strong attacking style

HE'S OFF: Rotorua Boys' High School have defended their Chiefs Cup title. Pictured is Hayze Perham in action for Rotorua last night. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

Rotorua Boys' High School have won the Chiefs Cup final for the second year running after outplaying Wesley College 41-18.

The two proud rugby schools met yesterday during the curtain-raiser to the Chiefs versus Bulls match at the Rotorua International Stadium.

The Chiefs Cup has been running for three years and pits the best rugby schools from the Chiefs region against each other, kicking off the 1st XV rugby season each year.

Boys' High will take plenty of confidence from winning the title and will now turn their attention to the Super 8 competition.

While Wesley College battled hard yesterday with their big forward pack, Rotorua's attack was far superior.

The teams traded penalties to start the game before Boys' High scored the opening try through captain Isaac Te Aute.

Te Aute had an injury which put him out for most of the season last year, but has big raps on him this season playing at first five-eighth.

Wesley made a mistake at the back which led to the try finished off by Te Aute.

Wesley then retaliated with three penalties to take the lead, including the last one slotted from more than 40m out and close to the sideline.

However Rotorua, who looked dangerous on counter attacks all game, scored a great team try near the end of the half. The ball passed through almost 10 sets of hands during the fast-flowing attack, before Hayze Perham finished off in the corner.

Minutes later, Perham plucked an intercept and raced almost 50m for his second try, right on the stroke of halftime. The home crowd gave him plenty of cheers as he dotted down, affording Rotorua Boys' a 24-12 lead at the break.

As at the start of the first half, the sides traded penalties to get the second spell under way. Wesley knew they needed to score first after the restart but it was big No 8 for Rotorua, Viliame Tosi, who crashed over to push Boys' High further in front.

Rotorua Boys' defence stood tall during the remainder of the match, preventing Wesley scoring a single try.

Jade Honeycombe nabbed the final try for the home side after Wesley had a player sent to the sin bin.

Rotorua fullback Kaleb Trask helped put the game well out of reach, kicking all five conversions and two penalties.

Rotorua Boys' High School 41 (Hayze Perham 2, Isaac Te Aute, Viliame Tosi, Jade Honeycombe tries; Kaleb Trask 2 pen, 5 con) Wesley College 18 (Adam Pompey 6 pen)