Under 15 National Rugby Tournament Report
This year the National under 15 rugby tournament was hosted by Hastings Boys’ High School. On the first day of the tournament we faced the challenge of playing two full length games on the same day. In the morning we played Hastings Boys’ High School, needing a good performance to kick start the tournament. Our coaches were happy with the 39-12 victory as we showed some excellent attacking movements, finished with six great team tries all scored by the backs. Legin Hotham from full back scored the first two of his seven tries he would score through the week. We immediately needed to switch on for our afternoon game against New Plymouth Boys’ High School. This was an amazing team performance winning 103-7, unfortunately letting them on the score board with an intercept try in the last few minutes.
Day 2 was a “do or die” match for our opponents Christchurch Boys’ High School, as we were already assured of making the top eight, but they needed to beat us to secure their spot. With 10 minutes to go we had given up the lead and looked as if they were going to finish us off. However, a gutsy final 10 minutes was rewarded with a try to steal the lead back and gain the victory 26-19 and qualify as top from our pool. Our coaches were not particularly happy with our defensive effort and so straight after the game, with the help of Mr Hotham, we walked through our defensive patterns and made some adjustments to try and fix some weak areas. The practice became a little embarrassing as we had to strip down into our underwear because the laundry needed to be taken before we had finished. Even Mrs Hassall looked a little concerned!
Day 3 we played a quarter final against a very big team from Mount Albert Grammar. We had to treat every game as a final as we knew a loss would put us out of the tournament. The new defensive pattern worked like a dream and with our superior fitness and attacking structure we came away with a 22-7 victory. A major turning point in the game came when Te Kapua Murray took an intercept pass and ran 80 metres to score for us.
Day 4 was the semi-final where we came up against one of our old rivals Auckland Grammar. We felt we owed them as they had beaten us earlier in the year. After a tight start, we managed to keep the pressure on them above what they could handle and scored three second half tries to secure our place in the final with a 27-14 win. Harrison Levien, who played halfback for the 2ndXV during the year, was once again an outstanding contributor at 2nd five eight scoring a crucial try during the game.
In the final we played one of the toughest games we have been involved in against Tauranga Boys’ College. Both teams had opportunities to score, but the tackling was ferocious and the game was still scoreless at half-time. In the second half Tauranga’s best player made a huge run to score a try which was also converted. They then kicked a penalty to get ahead by 10-0. We fought back as hard as we could and with only four minutes to play scored another great team try by ViliameTuipolotu which was converted by Orbyn Leger to get us back to 10-7. Unfortunately, we were unable to close the gap in those closing minutes and had to be satisfied with our second placing in the tournament.
We wish to thank Mr Miller, Mr Hay, and Mr Botherway for the care that they have provided as coaches and management. We are grateful for the backing of our parents and families through the week and throughout the year. We also wish to acknowledge the following businesses and people for the support that they gave to help us get to this tournament:
Jesus, Michelin Retread, Bell Forestry Company Ltd., Tirau Earthmovers Ltd., Richy&Bosso, Nana and Koko Rata, T. A. Reynolds Ltd., www.animalburial.co.nz, D. I. Cathcart Ltd., Ironman Concrete Cutting, Sylands, T. G. Embroidery, AA Driver Training, Langsford Contracting, Kiwispan Waikato, G-G Farriers, EFTCO, Craigmore Polled Herefords, Fairfield Bridge Dairy, Finch Contracting Ltd. Paterangi, Build Building Contractors Ltd., Three Way Motots Ltd. Piopio, id, Effluent and Irrigation Design, Korteweg Bros, Mum and Dad, Trevor Lee Autos – Mt Maunganui, Bulk Baits Ltd., Blast and Spray Ltd., NATWA, Nana and Papa, Glenn Martin Ltd. Forest and Woodlot Marketing – 021996954, King Country Farmers Livestock, HarcourtsTaumaranui, Epicurean Wine Brokers, The Baron – Te Kaha, Karioi Lodge Home of Raglan Surf School, Wahinemoe Raglan Harbour Cruises, Murray Milroy Whanau, L.B. Maintenance – Shower Specialist, Ecolab, Cooper Aitken, Animal Health Centre, GavinsStockfeed, Pain is temporary – Glory is forever, RICOH, Zintel Cogent, Gas Pro Products & Services, Poppa, Grandad, SiaKoToloke, Atawhai Assisi Home and Hospital, Luti, Ngawhika Accounting & Taxation Ltd., Jack Thorburn Builders Ltd., Solid Energy New Zealand Ltd..
Tom Bell
Captain Under 15A Rugby Team 2011
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