Hawkes Bay Schoolboy Rugby

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Today is the Polson Banner game between Napier Boys and Palmy Boys (in Palmerston North).

The game will be live on Sky Sport 1 from 12.30pm and streamed on sideline live: https://sideline.live/play/14635

Team line-up:

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Napier boys' the better team so far. Hooker Tyrone Chrystal scoring the only try thus far, obviously from a line-out maul.

All that started with a great break from fullback Afa Moleli.

3 - 10 Napier Boys

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Now a great try to prop Jared Martin.

That halfback Berkett is a handy kicker, converting from the sideline twice!

3 - 17 Napier

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Ken Laban being as annoying as ever. Complaining about a call against Palmy Boys, after the ref clearly explained you can't push in a scrum before the ball has been put in (what Palmy Boys did).

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Now a try to Max Ratcliffe off the pick'n go. Excellent.

Berkett converts again.
3 - 24 Napier

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Palmy Boys have put soap on their players' hands. Quite a few knock-ons.

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I knew Braydon Ennor's family is from Hawke's Bay and wondered whether big Napier Boys' lock Nick Ennor is related to him. The commentators confirmed that they're cousins.

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The noise and haka from the Palmy supporters are impressive, but it seems to distract their team more than to intimidate Napier's players.

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Napier Boys' are smelling blood and are close to scoring another try. Palmy give away a penalty close to the try line, and Napier go for the penalty kick ... .

I guess they prefer to keep the scoreboard going.

Half time: Palmy Boys' 3 - 27 Napier Boys'

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Napier Boys' stats first half:
Possession: 55%
Territory: 74%

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Try to Leo Gordon, the 2nd five from Palmy. Haven't seen much of Palmy Boys the entire game, but according to Ken Laban he has been one of the best players on the field. Geez. He's now compared to Conrad Smith. Geez 2x.

10 - 27 Napier

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I don't rate Napier Boys' number 10. Missing an easy penalty goal; now missing touch. Too bad the good halfback has gone off.

Bloody hell, and now Laban compares the ranky Palmy fullback to Jordie Barrett.

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Now the Napier first five gets yellow for a high tackle.

Moleli taking over the first receiver role. Might actually work out well for Napier, he's much better than Slabbekoorn.

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There seems to be a bit of a momentum shift. Palmy Boys getting more ball and territory.

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Try to Palmy reserve prop Stevenson. Converted by first five Heaphy.

17 - 27 Napier

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Unfortunately, Napier can't score of the strong line-out drive, this time. Held up. Scrum Napier, but LH goes straight down. Pen Palmy.

stats Napier now:
53% Possession
62% Territory

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10 minutes to go, and Napier steal another Palmy line-out. Gus Brown, excellent.

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The Manawatu ref warns the Napier captain there are too many scrum penalties. Where were the warnings in the 1st half against Palmy Boys?

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Gus Brown getting the turnover again. He's been really good. Moved from prop to lock in this game. I think he played as a loosie last year.

The Napier supporters are very loud right now, haha.

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Full time: Palmy Boys' 17 - 27 Napier Boys'

Napier Boys retain the Polson Banner and also stay ahead of Palmy Boys on the Super 8 ladder (important for the Hurricanes competition).