Rugby
1st XV
The 1st XV just had the one win during the season, against
Taradale 1st XV. The team lacked the belief and lost
narrowly on quite a few occasions. For periods of games,
Numbers were reasonably good for rugby this year with
we looked to be very good, but seemed to give points away
86 players signed on at the start of the season.
in clusters. A problem was the team had a small squad,
Unfortunately a lethargy among some let a lot of othand with a few boys leaving during the year, injuries and
ers down when it came to commitment to practice and
unreliability, it manifested on itself. Coach Stu Hancock’s
games. The coaches became frustrated at the inability
frustration was obvious and he was forced to default the
to front with a full compliment of players, especially in the
last two games through lack of numbers. Student, Carlos
1st XV and in D grade. The nadir came in D grade when
Askew took on the role of manager, and worked very hard
the coach, travelling from Napier twice a week found that
to make the team function. Ben Green led the team well and
he would have between 7 and 10 at practice, yet have
was a key member of the pack. He was rewarded when
enough for the Saturday game. It was decided that it was
he was asked to train with the HB U18 squad, though he
unfair on both coach and keen players, so the team was
didn’t make the final cut. The pack worked well as a unit at
withdrawn from competition. Some players went up to
times and surprised a lot of teams with their performance.
the 1st XV and others who were just over the weight limit
Trent Palamountain was a gutsy first five-eighth, and was the
dropped down.
leader of the backline. A dislocated shoulder in a
pre-season game was unfortunate and he did well to
The new uniform was introduced for the first game of the
bounce back so quickly. Robert Fridd, a year 10, had a
season and looked very smart. It is hoped that by next
terrific season in a beaten side, tackling hard and showing
year, they will all have the new jackets and track suits to
good touches. An injury was unfortunate but he came back
be worn to games. The proposal for a Rugby club within
strongly. The team will be built around him in the future. Reid
the school is gaining momentum and with luck we will see
O’Leary, a year 11, was very courageous on the wing, only
the game go up a notch in the school.
a tiny player, but a real goer.
Rugby Boys 1st XV
Back Row: William Wallace, Andries Lindeque, Travis Wainwright, Zach Taylor,
Jack Tichborne
2nd Row: Eddie Roberts, Hinckley Pogai, Ben Poppelwell, Maikara Murray,
Robert Fridd, Carlos Askew, (Manager)
Front Row: Nathan Thompson, Kyle Lowe, Robert Barker,
Ben Green, (Captain), Trent Palamountain, Darcy Garland, Louis Pienaar