Victories see three Waikato schools earn shot at glory

Wins to Hamilton Boys’ High School and St Peter’s Cambridge on Saturday have ensured the Waikato will have a presence in all three national 1st XV championship top fours.

Hamilton BHS beat Rotorua Boys’ High School 26-24 in the Chiefs region final of the boys’ schools competition, setting up a blockbuster national semifinal against Hastings Boys’ High School on Friday afternoon in Palmerston North.

That match will be a rematch of the Super 8 final, which Hamilton lost 30-8, meaning they didn’t finish as the champions for the first time since 2011, and just the second time since 2005.

They required nerves of steel to beat Rotorua BHS, with a late penalty from Josh Moorby proving the difference in the end.

Hamilton BHS coach Nigel Hotham was full of praise for the year 13 fullback, who gave his side a two-point lead with five minutes to play.

‘‘He wasn’t initially in the 1st

XV squad, but then he got an opportunity to come on tour with us, and he’s nailed the fullback position. On Saturday, he not only scored a try and some early penalties and conversions, but he nailed the pressure 40m penalty to win the game. He’s someone that’s just impressed us every week.’’

St Peter’s Cambridge had a slightly easier day of it against Manurewa High School in the Chiefs region final of the co-ed schools competition, winning 25-17 to earn a trip of their own to Palmerston North. There, they will play Feilding High School in the semifinals on Friday.

The Cambridge side won narrowly, 17-12, when the two teams met in the Central North Island competition earlier in the year, and so stand a good chance of earning a place in the final, where either Auckland’s Aorere College or Christchurch’s Burnside High School will await them.

St Peter’s coach Sean Hohneck said it had been pleasing to bounce back from last weekend’s loss to St Paul’s Collegiate in the CNI final with two knockout wins - the first coming against Stratford High School on Tuesday.

‘‘We’ve had a bit of a challenge with the midweek fixtures and our small squad, and then with a few injuries, they’ve been hurdles in the past few weeks.

‘‘It was tough getting up after losing to St Paul’s and probably not playing as good as we wanted to - I think the occasion got to us on the day - but we were able to get back on the horse against Stratford and then again on Saturday.’’

Also in action in Palmerston North will be defending girls’ competition champions Hamilton Girls’ High School, who play St Mary’s College of Wellington in their semifinal, with the winner going on to play either Kaipara College or Southland Girls’ High School in the decider.