‘Disappointing’ third big loss for Boys’ High

For the third time this season the Palmerston North Boys’ High School 1st XV has fallen to an embarrassing loss.

The were beaten 71-0 by St Pats Silverstream in Wellington yesterday.

It was a major turnaround for the side who won the traditional match 17-5 last year and follows their 100-0 loss to Hastings and 76-7 loss to Hamilton earlier this month.

A win over New Plymouth Boys’ High School suggested the team had started to right the ship,but things went wrong again in Wellington.

Down 21-0 at halftime, coach Blair van Stipriaan said their were reasons for positivity.

‘‘We were playing pretty well but we were struggling to hold onto the ball. There were three simple mistakes that led to three tries to them. So we felt if we could cut down the mistakes and look after possession, we would be back in the game,’’ he said.

But all optimism was quickly out the door as the team reverted to bad habits.

‘‘It was just really poor defence,’’ he said. ‘‘Guys’ desire to make tackles, guys’ desire to work to get into position to make tackles is not evident. It is really disappointing to have three games like that. Physically they know what they are doing. It is not a fitness issue. It is not a technical issue. It is an obvious mental issue now in terms of the fact that it has happened three times in four games.’’

Making things worse were injuries to Reuben Love, Ethan Helu-makasini and James Stratton.