Secondary School Rugby: St Paul's vs HBHS
15th May 2011 02:01PM
By Hamish Forsman
St Paul’s Collegiate have come close to upsetting newly crowned world youth rugby champions Hamilton Boys High School.
The traditional 1st XV clash between the two Waikato schools, shown live on The Rugby Channel, was eventually won by HBHS 29-17.
But not before a big scare from St Paul’s.
HBHS went into the game as heavy favourites after returning from Japan just a few days ago as winners of the Sanix World Youth Rugby tournament.
St Paul’s were determined to put in a good performance in front of their home crowd and they started the stronger of the two sides. Their early dominance in possession and territory saw them take the lead after 10 minutes from a Jonty Rae penalty.
But then three breakout tries in 15 minutes to HBHS showed why they are world champions.
Halfback Ben Finau scored the first after a good run and offload from captain Alex Suttie.
The second came from Isaac Te Tamaki who found space down the right wing and somehow managed to dot down in the tackle of several players.
Then an overthrown St Paul’s lineout was snatched by flanker Kane Jacobson who ran 80 metres before passing in the tackle to Te Raina Richards-Coxhead who scored in the corner.
St Paul’s were hanging tough but could not turn their good territory into points, as HBHS took a 17-3 lead into the break.
The home side continued to apply the pressure in the second half, and finally they cracked the HBHS defence with captain Hadleigh May getting St Paul’s first try of the day.
Flanker Hamish Mahon added another not long after and the scores were tied at 17 all heading into the last quarter.
Momentum was now all with St Paul’s and HBHS needed a spark from somewhere.
They got it through second five Hohepa Gibb, as he busted the defence and weaved his way to the line to put his side back in front.
HBHS then picked up their game and finished strongly as they controlled possession nicely in the final 10 minutes.
Right on full time HBHS prop Joe Walsh scored as St Paul’s brave fight came to an end.
