Tauranga Boys' College 1st XV have broken a 10 year losing streak against Rotorua Boys' High School with a 31-26 victory.
Playing in front of a large home crowd at Rotorua Boys' High School, the signs were ominous for the Rotorua side, when with just a minute on the clock - No 8 Eru Wano was red carded after he lashed out with his boot at a player on the ground. Tauranga's first-five Dan Hollinshead had little trouble nailing the kick just outside Rotorua's 22.
It took Rotorua 8 minutes to level the score, thanks to the educated boot of captain Ryubyn Vaipo. But Tauranga took full advantage of Rotorua only having 14 men on the field, especially around the ruck, with all four of their tries being scored by the forwards.
However, Tauranga didn't make it easy on themselves with a number of scoring opportunities squandered through poor handling or bad option taking.
Even though Tauranga managed to score a converted try to prop Aidon Ross, the home side went into the break trailing 10-9.
When Rotorua scored first in the second half to second-five Palu Fihaki, there was a glimmer of hope the home side may be able to pull a miracle out of the hat.
However, Tauranga started to find holes in the midfield and began to give their wingers Christian Kelly and Wemin Kapia some space out wide. The turning point was when Rotorua halfback Eru Oakes dislocated his shoulder. For a few minutes the side was down to 13 and Tauranga's forward pack started rolling to giving Leighton Hika the first of his two converted tries. Hika's second try, a few minutes after his first, put his side up 24-14 and it looked like Tauranga were on the road of breaking their losing streak. But speedy Rotorua fullback Mason Walker got out side the left flank of Tauranga, flicked the ball to right winger Isaac Te Aute who beat a tackle and with no space left on the flank lobbed the ball inside to the waiting arms of left winger Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi who ran the ball under the posts.
With the game up for grabs at 24-21 and only 10 minutes left on the clock it was essential Rotorua maintained possession.
However, with the side deep in their 22, Vaipo decided to kick for territory. His misdirected kick only gifted possession back to Tauranga, with lock Max Schroder scoring their final try which was converted by Hollinshead.
Although Rotorua managed to score a late try it was too little too late and Tauranga captain Mungo Mason was pleased to make history.
"I guess you could call it a day of reckoning ... it's good but it's just another game, that's been the main message."
Even though Rotorua coach Gordon Hunt was disappointed, he was proud of the team's attitude. "We are very happy with the heart they showed, because they needed to, losing that player pretty early. I feel pretty good about where we're heading.
"If we can bottle what we did in those last 10 minutes ... it matters on August 17 because we've got a rematch. That is the game we are looking forward to now."
Tauranga's next match in the New Zealand Super Eight Schools Rugby Championship is at home against New Plymouth Boys' High School on Saturday.
Rotorua travel to Gisborne to take on Gisborne Boys' High School.
Result: Tauranga Boys' High School 31 (A Ross, L Hika 2, M Schroder tries; D Hollinshead 1 pen, 4cons) Rotorua Boys' High School 26 (P Fihaki, T Tahuriorangi, Karena Tarei tries; R Vaipo 3pens, 1con) Halftime: 10-9