Cambridge High take out Toll Cup
4th August 2011 06:34PM
By Hamish Forsman
Cambridge High School 1st XV have warmed up for the most important few weeks of their season by winning the Toll Cup rugby tournament for the second straight year.
With their Waikato secondary school division one semi-final this weekend and their regional Co-Ed school playoffs later in August the four-team, school holiday tournament played at Otumoetai College last month was the ideal preparation.
Despite travelling over the kaimais each day, Cambridge proved too strong throughout the tournament, winning all three games by comfortable margins.
Cambridge thrashed Matamata College 51-0 on day one, using the match to work on some new moves and scenarios while giving development and back up players plenty of game time against the Waikato secondary school division two side.
No 8 Isaac van der Valk was the standout, scoring five tries, while fellow loose forward Drew Bootten scored a spectacular 60m runaway effort. Other try scorers were hooker Kyle Mallinger, wing Josh Hansen and second five and captain Jono Feast, while first five Jarred Fletcher kicked three conversions.
On day two Cambridge had a much closer game leading just 15-12 at half time against Rosehill College from Papakura, before pulling away to win 30-12.
Cambridge used their superior fitness to outlast the much bigger Rosehill side, getting the better of the match as their opposition began to tire up front. The Cambridge forwards eventually took over at the breakdown, producing good ball for their backline as they went on to outscore Rosehill five tries to two.
Van der Valk was again impressive bagging a hat-trick of tries, centre Josh Gascoigne scored a double and Fletcher kicked five points.
On the last day Cambridge needed to beat hosts Otumoetai to wrap up the tournament and retain the Toll Cup, which they managed comfortably as they cruised to a 44-10 win.
Cambridge’s forwards again led the way, winning a lot of turn over ball and showing great support play all over the park.
Van der Valk was yet again a magnet to the white line, scoring twice to take his tournament tally to a whopping 10 tries, while Gascoigne got his second double in two days. The other scorers were Bootten, prop Te Ahu Tipuna and loose forward Laulea Mau, while Gascoigne added three conversions and a penalty.
Coach Wayne Bootten and manager Fred Hansen, who were joined by Cambridge High School development coach Dave Collins for the tournament, were delighted with the string of good performances.
“It was an awesome tournament, but it was tough. We travelled over each day with games at 1.30pm, so it was a big day by the time you left at nine and got home at five. And the games were a good challenge - both Otumoetai and Rosehill were big teams and top four rugby schools in their respective regions,” Bootten said.
The overall player of the tournament award went to Van der Valk for his 10 tries and all-round blockbusting play, Fletcher ran the backline well from first five, while Feast impressed with his leadership and defence. Gascoigne was at his usual game breaking best, as was halfback Brogan Bayliss, while up front lock Matthew Cashmore led the way, along with props Tipuna and Ihaka Mita.
But coach Bootten was quick to mention it was the effort of the full squad that was making the squad click.
“It was just a huge team effort. The team cohesion at the moment is just unbelievable, they just really enjoy each other’s company.”
Cambridge now turn their attention to Saturday’s Waikato secondary school semi-final against St John’s, where a win will guarantee Cambridge a home final after they finished round robin play at the top of the table.
Also lurking around the corner is the National Co-Ed Schools rugby championships. Cambridge will have to beat the best Co-Ed schools in Counties-Manukau and Bay of Plenty later in August if they are to progress as the Chiefs region representative at the final four tournament in Rotorua.
