HBHS Football Winners for 10th Consecutive Year

Hamilton Boys' High School 1st XI has secured its 10th consecutive Waikato Secondary Schools Premier Football competition title.

The boys in red and black were held to a 2-2 draw away to St Peter's School in the last league game of the season on Saturday, but the win was enough for them to keep up their unbeaten streak.

If St Peter's had won the game, they would have taken the championship, and although the decider was meant to be played at HBHS, the defending champions agreed to take the game to the challengers ground as the HBHS pitches were waterlogged.

HBHS took the lead after 22 minutes, when Josh Margetts produced a glancing header at the near post from a corner, and the visitors took their one-goal lead to the halftime break.

But in the second stanza St Peter's began to enjoy a more even share of midfield play and midway through the half they equalised when Van Ewert hit the target from outside the penalty area.

However, eight minutes later HBHS hit back and reclaimed the lead after Margetts showed great pace down the right-hand side. His cross into the area eventually found the foot of Shane Lee-Jenkins, who finished.

In the final minutes Van Ewert brought St Peter's level again after another great strike which gave his side the faintest glitter of hope, but the final whistle sounded with the scores level, giving Hamilton Boys' a decade of wins in this prestigious competition.

HBHS coach Paul Nixon was at the helm of the team when their streak started in 2001, and he was also there the following year, so to be part of the 10th successive win was special.

He felt it was a fine occasion for his players to understand how to respond to pressure.

"It was a good game for the boys to learn from, in a league campaign, going to the last game, going to the opposition's home ground knowing you need at least a draw to win the title was a good experience for them," Nixon said.

He said the school was blessed with talented players, but admitted that the pressure would intensify for next year.

"Every season after you've won the title, it makes it harder to win that title," he said. "To keep the run going is a special achievement. It's a reflection on the how the school approaches its football."

The 1st XI heads off to Napier on Sunday to compete in the NZSSFA national tournament.