Girls’ High in fourth place at nationals

Palmerston North Girls’ High school has finished fourth in the country at the secondary schoolgirls national tournament in Taupo¯ .

After a strong week, Girls’ High went down 2-1 to Epsom Girls’ Grammar in the playoff for third and fourth. Fourth place is the school’s best ever result.

Palmerston North Boys’ High School finished 26th in the 32-strong field at the boys’ national tournament in Christchurch after two wins and two losses in post-section play.

Coach Steve Dawson said despite the low placing the side turned in some strong performances and would be better next year for the experience. Injuries and suspensions hit the team hard, but they gained sweet revenge against Wakatipu High School, beating the Queenstown outfit 3-1 in postsection play after earlier losing to them during group competition.

Boys’ High also notched a 3-0 victory over New Plymouth Boys’ High School, with KK Adeyinka, Jett Mcgregor-dunne and Caleb Young among the goals.

But losses against St Thomas, of Christchurch (1-0), and Waimea College, of Nelson (2-0), accounted for their final placing.

Defender Cam Wallace was chosen Boys’ High’s most valuable player of the tournament.

Dawson said with only four of the squad leaving school at the end of the year, Boys’ High would be a formidable combination next year.