Hawkes Bay Schoolboy Rugby
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This was Hastings' line-up:
It was a very close game. Hamilton absolutely dominated possession and territory, esp in the first half, but the Hastings' defence was outstanding! Hastings were excellent in the breakdown (they won a lot of turnovers), were tackling really well and discipline much improved from last week.
Lots of handling errors from Hamilton - not strange considering the conditions (typical Poo weather with constant rain) - but Hastings dealt with those conditions better. It was very slippery at times, and the water on the field slowed the ball down and made for some unexpected bounces of the ball.
Stand-outs for Hastings were Thompson-Dunn (give him a Magpies contract already!), lock Emil Crichton, prop Tini Nu'u, young Cooper Flanders and Latrell Ah Kiong, whose game management was superb.Great impact from the bench, particularly Jeremiah Tulatua. After he came on, Hastings got the upperhand in the scrum as well. I also like the fullback, Mercedes Hodge.
Hastings' scorers: Tupou try; Ah Kiong 2 pen
I'm not sure whether this team will be able to beat King's in the Final, fingers crossed, but I think reaching the Final is already a great achievement.
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Has napier or hastings played St Kents or Kings during the year as a comparision (or has Hamilton played them?)
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@Magpie_in_aus Very early in preseason, Hastings lost to St Kent's (12 - 22). That's the only one I could find.