Matamata secure win over HBHS
COMAG Matamata College first XV played Hamilton Boys’ High School Colts on the weekend and came away with a 26-12 win.
Matamata began well and were able to score a try early. After some good work by the forwards, Ben Brady crashed over the line. Jesse Holdsworth converted taking the score to 7-0.
HBHS came back strongly and were able to keep Matamata pinned in their own half, but were unable to score any points. When they finally got out of their own half, Brady grabbed his second try, extending the lead to 12-0.
In the second half Matamata went straight on attack. With the backs and forwards combining well, eventually centre Casey McNaughton was able to get over the line. Again Holdsworth added the extras, extending the lead to 19-0.
After this, HBHS spent long periods on attack and were able to score two tries to close the gap to 19-12. With two minutes to play and HBHS hot on attack, Matamata were able to kick a loose pass ahead and went the length of the field to score next to the posts with Ryan Allen grabbing the bonus point try. Holdsworth slotted the conversion, making the final score 26-12 to Matamata.
In other games, the second XV were away to Otorohanga first XV and were beaten 55-7.
The Under 15s had a good win against HBHS U15 Black, 22-7. The Matamata forward pack had their best game of the season and set a good platform for the backs to attack from. Wing Brayden Shelley made some strong runs down the sideline and was unlucky not to score on several occasions. Try scorers were Caine Hohepa, Nic Thomson, Tom Conner and Bailey Tuhakaraina.
The Under 14s also won, beating HBHS U14 White 62- 5. Forwards Sam Fazackerley, Oscar Morrissey, Tai Leaf and Gareth Watkins all had excellent games. The best of the backs were wing Kodie Wharepapa and fullback Hayden Aiken. Try scorers were Oscar Morrissey ( 2), Kodie Wharepapa (2), Andre Te Kani (2), Tai Leaf, Malachi O’Brien, Joell Poto and Hayden Aiken. Malachi O’Brien kicked six conversions.
The Under 55kg team travelled to Hamilton to play St John’s and came away with a well-deserved 12- 0 victory. The scores were locked nil all at half time so two second half tries by Matamata were the difference.