Hawkes Bay Schoolboy Rugby

[Stargazer]

Hastings 2nd five is a tall lad, Tali Ioasa. Just made a great turnover. Finally some play in Napier's half.

[Stargazer]

Deserved first try to a Napier player with a serious mullet. All after a great break from Nick Ennor.
Strange seeing Napier so dominant.
Didn't pay enough attention to who took the kick, but it was a good one.

Napier leading 7 - 0.

[Stargazer]

That's the half time score.

[Stargazer]

Napier's try scorer was their centre, Adam Curran. He's having a good game. Just made a great turnover.

[Stargazer]

Napier very close to scoring their 2nd try. Gilgal Leutele Malasia (8), or was it his brother? and Nick Ennor, very good.

And now again, almost a try to Napier. Held up.

Hastings defence holding, but geez, why are they playing at this side of the field? Something is not quite right.

[Stargazer]

Hmm, not sure what happened there. By all means, it looked like Gilgal Leutele Malasia just scored, but the ref decides otherwise.

Still 7 - 0 to Napier.

[Stargazer]

We're now in Napier's 22. Hastings have the scrum feed ...

[Stargazer]

That didn't go well. Napier totally dominated that scrum. Penalty Napier.
Line-out Napier, still in their half.

[Stargazer]

Some very sloppy play from Hastings. Another Napier line-out, just in their half.

[Stargazer]

Only watching with one eye now; watching the Tui with the other.

It's a messy game; both Hastings and Napier sloppy and making handling errors.

Hastings getting a bit more territory and possession now.

Hastings scrum feed on Napier's 5m.

[Stargazer]

Try time! Didn't see who scored, but Hastings score close to the sticks and the fullback (still not sure whether this is Hoera Stephenson or Bryson Crawford Pakoti) kicks the conversion. It's 7 all!

[Stargazer]

Wow, how things can change. Penalty kick to Hastings .. and it goes over!

Hastings now lead 10 - 7.
Not sure they deserve it though.

[Stargazer]

That lit a fire. Napier back on attack, but knock on (on Hastings 5m line).

[Stargazer]

Deserved try to Napier. Nick Ennor scores.

Afa Moleli converts.

Napier Boys lead 14 to 10.

[Stargazer]

It's over!

Napier Boys' win the Hurricanes Cup! Totally unexpected before the game, but they fully deserve it. Dominated most of the game. It almost looked as Hastings Boys had already celebrated their end-of-season. Just not there mentally, it seems. Napier Boys' set piece was miles better and their passes stuck. Hastings Boys' defence was good, but they also gave away a lot of penalties.

FT: Napier Boys 14 - 10 Hastings Boys

Strange idea, but if there had been a Top 4 this year, this result would have meant that Napier Boys', and not Hastings Boys', would have represented the Hurricanes region (assuming that both Napier and Hastings would have beaten the Wellington schools).

[Nepia]

Well that's ruined my day.

I'm going to anger walk to my picnic today.

In hope it's not a pointer to how the rest of the weekend's rugby is going to go!

[Higgins]

@nepia Quite the opposite for me and @Stockcar86
.

[Stargazer]

@nepia Maybe it gives Brad Weber some inspiration to do something great tonight!

You may be right about the rest of the games though. Totally against the run of play, the Tui are trailing against Taranaki. Taranaki lead 19 - 7 at half time.

Edit: and our U19s were murdered by Wellington: 7 - 42.

[Stargazer]

According to an article in the HBT, Napier Boys will see 7 boys from their 1st XV graduating this year. Unfortunately, it doesn't say how many players Hastings Boys 1st XV will lose at the end of the year.

[Stargazer]

Not sure where else to post this, but the Ross Shield tournament is back and starts on Monday, 4 October 2021.
The usual teams: Central HB, Hastings West, Wairoa, Dannevirke, Napier and Hastings East.

All games to be livestreamed on sideline live.

The Wakely Shield tournament starts on Tuesday, 12 October and may also be livestreamed (not sure).
Teams: Hastings East, Saracens, Napier East, Wairoa, Napier West, Central HB, Hastings West and Barbarians.