Triple-digit humiliation for Boys’ High

The Palmerston North Boys’ High School 1st XV were humbled 100-0 by Hasting Boys’ High School in the Super Eight in Hastings on Saturday.

‘‘Embarrassing’’, ‘‘disappointing’’, ‘‘deflating’’, ‘‘frustrating’’ and ‘‘a car crash’’ were just some of the words coach Blair van Stipriaan used to describe his side’s performance against a side many believe to be the best in the country.

‘‘We know we are better than that,’’ he said. ‘‘We have travelled to Auckland and won, we have travelled to Wellington and won on the basis on really good defensive performances but for whatever reason, [it] was not going to be one

of those days,’’ he said.

Boys’ High had been riding high after an impressive preseason and a win over Gisborne.

But against Hastings, they came crashing down to earth.

Tackling, or lack of it, was their downfall. Down 55-0 at the break, triple digits were on the horizon and things did not get much better in the second half.

van Stipriaan said his statistics showed the team falling off 51 percent of their tackles.

‘‘You can’t have those tackle stats and hope to compete against a side like Hastings. They are tough and they have so many good ball runners and players. They only need half a sniff and they will make you pay.’’

In a minor positive, most of the tries came from missed tackles rather than Hastings finding holes in the defence which suggests Boys’ High positioning was good, but their tackling was terrible.

van Stipriaan also praised Hastings.

‘‘Everything they did turned to gold. If you could detach yourself from the team that was being smashed, some of the play was sublime.’’

Now the challenge for the team is to bounce back when they host Hamilton Boys’ High School on Saturday. van Stipriaan said he wanted to ensure the big loss would not define their season.

Meanwhile, Feilding High School lost to St Paul’s Collegiate 26-15 in the CNI.

Feilding got off to a good start and set the platform up front which had the CNI defending champions under pressure.

Feilding led 5-3 at halftime and were about to turn around with the wind at their backs, so positivity was high.

But with the wind blowing into their faces, St Paul’s held the ball and backed themselves to run the ball. Feilding were caught out committing too many players to the rucks and they were exposed out wide. Prop Ethan Mcquinlan was the best for Feilding with some strong carries and setting a good platform on defence.