Hawkes Bay Schoolboy Rugby

[Stargazer]

St John's expectedly lost to St Paul's: 12 - 38.

After 33 minutes, it's 3 - 3 between Napier and Hastings Boys.
Terrible, wet weather.

[Stargazer]

The ref ends the first half after a Napier player goes down with - what looks like a serious - knee injury. Can't see who it is.

So 3 - 3 is the half time score.

[Nepia]

@stargazer said in Hawkes Bay Schoolboy Rugby:

The ref ends the first half after a Napier player goes down with - what looks like a serious - knee injury. Can't see who it is.

So 3 - 3 is the half time score.

Damn, that's a real battle. Teams evenly matched?

[Stargazer]

@nepia I missed the first 30 minutes, so can't say.

[Stargazer]

First 10 minutes of the second half. Teams parked in Napier's 22. Have seen two Hastings' driving maul's ending on the Napier try line, with Hastings knocking the ball on (or otherwise resulting in conceding a turnover) instead of scoring.

[Stargazer]

A good penalty kick from Hoera Stephenson makes it 6 - 3 to Hastings.

[Stargazer]

Try to one of the Hastings backs. I couldn't see the jersey number; it may have been one of the midfielders.

Hoera Stephenson converts and it's 13 - 3 to Hastings!

[Stargazer]

Napier lock Nicholas Ennor is a very big lad (not just in height)!

Prop Gus Brown, too. Only year 12, I think.

[Stargazer]

Hastings are using Cooper Flanders often in the line-out. He's a real pain in Napier's backside. Very good. He also seems to have matured since last year. He's not trying to do everything himself anymore.

Hoera Stephenson attempts a penalty kick, but it's short.

[Stargazer]

I can't see his jersey number, but one of Napier's backs is a real liability. Terrible ball hog. He should pass more. Could be their fullback, but not sure.

[Stargazer]

Great try from Napier! I think that was Gilgal Leutele Malasia, but jerseys are so dirty, I can't read the numbers anymore.

Thoroughly deserved. They were in Hastings' 22 for a while and are stronger at setpiece. Dominating the scrum in this half.

The try goes uncorverted.

13 - 8 Hastings.

[Stargazer]

Cooper Flanders is a smart captain. Going for 3-pointers. Stephenson slots another one. 16 - 8 Hastings.

[Stargazer]

Hastings now trying to run down the clock, but conceding a penalty in their half ... And another one.

[Stargazer]

Hastings steal the ball; that looked totally illegal, but the ref didn't see it.

It's full time: Napier Boys 8 - Hastings Boys 16

There really isn't much between these teams. I'd say Napier Boys' setpiece is better and their forwards look stronger. Their ball handling is worse though (many knock-ons). Flanders' decisions and Stephenson's boot (11 points) won this game for Hastings.

[Stargazer]

If I'd had to pick an Under-18 team from this game, I would have too many loosies. There's much talent in both backrows.
I'd probably pick Hastings' LH prop Lolofie and Napier's TH prop Brown. Not sure about the hookers.
For the locks, I'd definitely pick Ennor, if only for his size. Don't know about the other one.
From the backs, I'd probably pick Hastings' 9, 10, 12 and 13 and Napier's 13 (moving him to the left wing) and 14. I'd put Napier's Moleli at fullback.

[Nepia]

Whoop whoop!

[Nepia]

@stargazer you gave me heart palpitations by listing Napier first. 😉

[Stargazer]

@nepia Always home team first!

[Nepia]

@stargazer said in Hawkes Bay Schoolboy Rugby:

@nepia Always home team first!

That makes the win even sweeter.

[Stargazer]

Articles about the NBHS v HBHS game:

This one focuses on Hastings' first five Hoera Stephenson, a son of a Magpie, who's in his last year in the squad.

https://cdn.hbapp.co.nz/sport/sport/hbhs-rugby-pivot-shines-in-away-victory-over-nbhs

New Zealand, Hawkes Bay Today, Rugby

Hasting Boys' High gets upper hand

One try each as Hastings win in front of 1000 rugby fans, and rows of umbrellas