Blues too strong for Chiefs in under 18s final
28th July 2011 09:45PM
By Hamish Forsman
The Blues under-18s proved too good for their Chiefs counterparts yesterday in the final of the New Zealand Secondary Schools regional rugby tournament running out convincing 36-12 winners.
In front of a good sized crowd at St Paul’s Collegiate in Hamilton the baby Blues put in an impressive performance to win the New Zealand Barbarians Shield and claim the title of best regional secondary school team in the country.
The match started fast and physical which seemed to suit the bigger and stronger Blues side and after just 10 minutes when a chip kick was not cleaned up by the Chiefs on their own 22, Blues wing Ngataua Hukutai pounced on the loose ball and scampered away unmarked for the opening try, converted by first five Jack Halpin.
Eight minutes later the Blues were in again through hooker Dillan Halaholo when their big forward pack rumbled over the line after several minutes of pressure deep in Chiefs territory.
The Chiefs responded well and enjoyed a period on attack of their own but the Blues defence was solid and after the Chiefs onslaught came up empty the visitors had the last say of the half launching an attack from their own half which was finished off by halfback Pele Cowley.
Despite scrambling well in defence, led by Hamilton Boys’ High centre Regan Ware and St Paul’s Collegiate flanker Hadleigh May, the Chiefs went into the halftime break 19-0 behind and head coach Johnny Walters made several substitutions early in the second half as he attempted to spark his side into action.
The move seemed to pay off as the Chiefs charged into Blues territory and, after sustained pressure and repeated infringements from the Blues, St Peters School prop Josh Davey crashed over, with Tauranga Boys’ College replacement first five Te Ahi Toma converting.
But just as it looked like the Chiefs were back in the match the Blues stunned the home crowd with two tries in two minutes from wing Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and replacement back Fomai Ah-Ki, both converted by replacement first five Simon Hickey to blow the score out to 33-7.
To their credit the Chiefs finished strongly and livewire replacement wing Mason Walker from Rotorua Boys’ High scored a consolation try after a nicely worked move down the left flank and they nearly scored again after a long run from impressive Hamilton Boys’ High flanker Kane Jacobsen but it was all too little too late from the Chiefs.
Hickey completed the Blues scoring on fulltime with a long range penalty.
In the day’s earlier game the Hurricanes had a comfortable 27-7 win over South Island Schools in the playoff for third and fourth.
