Tough work for injury-hit Boys’ High

An injury-hit Palmerston North Boys’ High School first XV were on the receiving end in their annual exchange against Auckland Grammar School.

Boys’ High lost 61-13 in Auckland on Thursday, but had about 10 starting players out injured and a lot of young players stepping up. The match was close to start, but after an hour delay for a suspected serious injury to first five-eighth Ruben Love, the Boys’ High players’ minds were elsewhere as they waited for an ambulance. Love was later cleared, but has a neck injury and concussion.

Grammar were well organised, physical and dominant at the setpiece. When Boys’ High had the ball they strung phases together and created positive periods of attack, but didn’t have enough possession.

Openside flanker Soane Fakahau had a strong game, while centre Chance Malu was good on defence and halfback Matty Oldridge played well.

In their other pre-season games Boys’ High have beaten Lindisfarne College, of Hastings, 36-19 and lost to St Paul’s Collegiate School, of Hamilton, 35-17.

Boys’ High’s first white jersey game is against Francis Douglas Memorial College in New Plymouth on May 1 when it is hoped they will have some troops back.

The Hurricanes schools preseason competition starts on May 4 and Boys’ High’s first Super 8 game is away to Gisborne Boys’ High School on May 25.

Meanwhile, the Feilding High School first XV have had a win and a loss in pre-season. They lost 19-7 in a windy away game to New Plymouth Boys’ High School, then beat Wellington College 36-20 in Wellington.

Feilding will play Hastings Boys’ High School at the Sport and Rugby Institute in Palmerston North on Saturday. They play Manukura in Feilding the week after, then start the Central North Island competition against Lindisfarne on May 18.