Hamilton Boys' beat Chiefs region rivals Rotorua Boys'
26th June 2011 01:27PM
By Hamish Forsman
Hamilton Boys’ High 1st XV got their Super Eight campaign back on track with a hard fought 18-10 win over visiting Rotorua Boys’ High.
Despite trailing at half time, Hamilton Boys’ played a controlled and structured game of rugby to secure an important win after slipping up the previous weekend to Palmerston North Boys’ High.
Hamilton Boys’ coach Nigel Hotham was relieved to get the win in what he described as a ‘ding dong battle’ to keep their chances of defending their Super Eight title alive.
Rotorua Boys’ used the breeze behind their backs in the first half to their advantage, displaying a strong kicking game that gave them good field position, and took the lead with a 10th minute penalty.
However midway through the first half Hamilton Boys’ got some territory of their own and took their opportunity - moving the ball swiftly through the backline for wing Ryan Keleher to score in the corner.
Just before half time Rotorua Boys’ caught the home side napping from a quick tap and worked the ball back and forth across field before scoring. The sideline conversion sent the visitors into the break with a 10-5 lead.
Hamilton Boys’ started the second half positively and quickly closed the gap to two after a penalty to first five Josh O’Flaherty.
Momentum slowly swung the way of the hosts as they began to dominate territory and possession, and when a Rotorua player was sin binned after infringing at ruck time, Hamilton Boys’ took full advantage scoring twice in eight minutes.
The first try to put them in the front was scored by standout flanker Kane Jacobson, and then centre Regan Ware’s try pushed Hamilton Boys’ lead out to eight points with just five minutes remaining to seal the match.
