CNI playoff implications in Feilding loss
Feilding High School’s 17-12 loss to St Peters School in Cambridge on Saturday has put their chances of making the CNI final in jeopardy.
Feilding now sit three points ahead of St Peters on the table, but the latter have a game in hand.
With no semifinals, they must finish in the top-two to qualify for the final, likely to be against the unbeaten St Paul’s Collegiate.
Feilding have one game in the competition remaining against Wesley College in Pukekohe, which is a must win.
If they win that game, they will rely on St Peter’s losing to either Wanganui Collegiate or the winless St John’s College.
The playoff implications made Saturday’s loss extra painful for Feilding, as did the knee injury to star wing Mosese Dawai.
The match pitied the forwardorientated St Peter’s against the impressive backs of Feilding.
And it looked like Feilding’s while Feilding had a player sent to the bin.
The second half was much of the same story with Feilding unable to get any rhythm.
Coach Mark Mcalley said lock Ben Weeks was the standout for his side, while flanker Jack Kinder and John Lomu also impressed.
Feilding have a match against Manukura on Wednesday in the Hurricanes co-ed competition before their final CNI match against Wesley on Saturday in Pukekohe.
Meanwhile, Palmerston North Boys’ High School fell in a highscoring battle with defending national champions Rotorua Boys’ High School 43-30 on Saturday in Rotorua.
They were poor at the start of the game as Rotorua raced out to a 21-3 advantage before Boys’ High finally woke up.
They picked up a try just before halftime to trail 21-8 at the break.
The second half was a tit-for-tat battle.
With 10 minutes remaining, Boys’ High had closed in to be behind 33-30, but Rotorua pulled away late.
No 8 Brayden Iose, flankers Mackenzie Tansley and Matene Ruawai, hooker Te Ariki Te Puni and centre James Stratton were the standouts.
Boys’ High’s final match is the Polson Banner clash with Napier Boys’ High School in Napier on Wednesday.