TBHS have ten try romp over Lincoln HS
Timaru Boys’ High School First XV is marching towards the semifinals of the Crusaders Schools Championships after thrashing Lincoln Combined 56-0.
The gritty Lincoln side tried hard but could not contain TBHS forward pack that made big metres with ease.
TBHS ran in 10 tries from all over the paddock but their goal kicking woes remain, landing only three conversions, which could be problematic come finals time.
The game was played at Pleasant Point on Tuesday after being postponed because of the rain and ground conditions on Saturday. TBHS took a while to get going but then burst into life.
Big No.8 Maka Mafileo shot out of a maul and ran 20m untouched to score and captain Cullen Grace followed suit, sprinting in from 35m, to take his try tally to 10 for the season.
Mafileo then had second as he busted through a maul and blind side Finlay Joyce grabbed the bonus point try shortly afterwards.
Second five Brad Cvitanich rounded out the first half try scoring when he made a good break 25m out, having early cut Lincoln’s defence apart with a 50m run. TBHS were in again early in the second half when replacement hooker Melvin Pauni was driven over before fullback Hayden McNulty scored wide out.
Pauni then ran in from 50m out after catching Lincoln’s defence out.
As the clock wound down prop Shane Fix scored a deserved try after a great run from right wing replacement Hamish Schmack.
Hamish Dunbar wrapped up the try scoring action with a great winger’s try down the left hand flank.
TBHS forwards were dominant but to their credit Lincoln never surrendered, with open side Ben Kahu tackling himself to a standstill while halfback Robert Sporke impressed behind a beaten pack.
For the hosts their usual cast of stars performed well but were well supported by lock Cameron Lyon, who also made one great run, and hooker Ben Sands who was in everything in the first half.
Halfback Caleb McNoe had a busy game and gave his backline a crisp service. On the wings Schmack impressed in his first game back since being concussed against Otago Boys’ High School while Dunbar showed plenty of pace and his ability to finish.
Coach Gavin Miller was happy with the performance considering it was the side’s first game in two and half weeks.
‘‘We got rid of the cobwebs. Lincoln might be small but they are a gutsy side.’’
The win leaves TBHS at the top of the table but they will surrender that position to Christ’s College and Christchurch Boys’ High School in the final round of the UC Championship, on August 12, when they have the bye.
TBHS should have no problems when they host Waimea Combined on Saturday but then have a big road trip to face Nelson College. The Moascar Cup is on the line and the match will likely decide third place as well.
TBHS have only won the Moasar Cup (which is the secondary schools equivalent of Ranfurly Shield) once and surrendered it on their first defence to Nelson College, who have held it for over a year.