Prem’s up 15 to 7 over GI
In a must win clash our Prem team really fronted! In trying conditions the boys started well and really took control of the game from the outset. They were simply dominant upfront and inside backs Nathan Hastie and Obey Samate controlled the game beautifully as they steered the forward pack around the park.
Brusing loose forwards Lucas Goverts and Toni Taufa owned the breakdown but it was the hard work of tight forwards Solomon Pole and Siaki Kata that allowed them to do so.
In the second half big Tavita Pole came on and dominated the set piece which allowed the boys to continue with quality front foot ball.
As we head into a very tough part of the draw our boys momentum is gathering as they continue to improve week in week out.
Championship Colts (JC’s) The boys went down 29-17 to Kaikorai.
The wet weather made the game a battle between two aggressive forward packs resulting in a very physical game leading to two key players getting injured, # 8 George Murray went down early with a shoulder injury and Jamie Norris with a sprained his ankle which put a dent in our chances.
It was a tough game overall, the boys played well and showed good heart, our # 6 & 7 Ariki Aramakutu and Jack Bonisch were two of our best never giving up. There was nothing in this game, just the odd bounce of the ball that didn’t go our way. Our young fella’s will bounce back from this.
Backbone down 11 to 36 versus GI
It’s not often that playing at home works against you but the heavy footing at Watson Park really did take our lightning backline’s advantage away.
The conditions were the same for both teams but the older grizzled GI pack thrived in the Watson Park bog.
A lesson learned by the boys that just turning up doesn’t win matches in this tough grade. You have to prepare well and bring the attitude, GI did and we didn’t.
Having said that, a big ups to young loose forwards James Duncan and Sifa Pole who never stopped trying and showed real backbone while in the backs Jordy Ruck showed his class when he came on.
Apologies from our rugby correspondent who is off overseas for 10 days… I will be watching from afar but pre & post match analysis might be a struggle….Up the Hawks!