Cambridge pair in secondary schools final
10th August 2011 12:26PM
By Hamish Forsman
A superb defensive effort has sent top-seeded Cambridge High School into the final of the Ian Foster Shield after they beat a gutsy St John's College side 19-7 in the playoffs of Waikato secondary school division one rugby at the weekend.
The semifinal win last Saturday also saw Cambridge claim the Tricolor Trophy for the first time in 11 years and sets up an all-Cambridge final after St Peter's School upset St Paul's Collegiate 23-12 in the other semifinal.
A much improved St John's side put up a brave fight and dominated for periods of the match, being just four points down deep into the second half, before hosts Cambridge surged home in the final 10 minutes.
Cambridge coach Wayne Bootten praised his side's defensive effort after watching St John's do most of the attacking in the game. "It was a tough battle all the way," he said. "It was very physical, we knew it was going to be physical, but you're only as good as your defence and our defence was outstanding."
Cambridge got off to a fast start with a penalty kick to first-five Jarred Fletcher and a try from No8 Isaac Van der Valk. St John's had the better of the rest of the half, but could not crack solid Cambridge defence led by captain and second five Jono Feast.
Fletcher kicked another penalty for the home side to stretch their lead to 11-0 at halftime.
St John's were right back shortly after the break when halfback Dylan Bower crossed for a try which he converted.
But the Cambridge defence held strong and, with five minutes left, they launched a counter-attack which ended in loose forward Mitch Jacobsen scoring the crucial try, and centre Josh Gascoigne added a penalty kick on fulltime to seal the win.
St Peter's produced one of their best efforts of the year to book their place in the final, outscoring hosts St Paul's three tries to none.
Chiefs Under-18 first-five Wharenui Hawera was the standout for St Peter's, leading his troops around the park as his side took their scoring opportunities and backed up with solid defence.
Hawera kicked a conversion and two penalties and also crossed for a try, with the others to dot down being loosehead prop Josh Davey and tighthead prop David Motutere.
Second five-eighth Brogan O'Connor was good defensively and got to the gain line well, and No8 George Forster was everywhere.
St Peter's coach Andrew Douglas realised his side would be up against it in the final.
"They're a very good side this year and they'll be pretty confident I think going into Saturday," he said of Cambridge.
"We're pretty young and green to be honest. This is pretty much a development year for us. So we've done well to get this far so far.
"We'll be trying, certainly, but it's against a very good Cambridge side that's been together for a couple of years now."
The final of the Ian Foster Shield kicks off at Memorial Park, in Cambridge, on Saturday at 11am.
Meanwhile, Hamilton Boys' High School has finished third-equal in the Super Eight competition, signing off with a 91-5 demolition of Hastings Boys' High School in the final round. Wing Luke Masirewa bagged four tries, while lock Jacob Skeen and prop Tuatu Rapira-Kiel both scored doubles.
First-five Bryn Gatland had a perfect day with the boot kicking 13 from 13 conversions.
Hamilton now turn their attention to the Chiefs regional playoff games with a spot in the national top four up for grabs.
They are away to Wesley College this Saturday, then host Rotorua Boys' High School on Wednesday in a three-way round robin competition.
