Boys’ High claim Grammar’s scalp
The Palmerston North Boys’ High School first XV will have a spring in their step heading into their first white jersey game after a hardfought 20-18 win over Auckland Grammar School.
Boys’ High came from 18-8 down to win the game at Boys’ High yesterday ahead of their clash with Whanganui Collegiate School next weekend, the first game where they will wear their traditional white jerseys.
Boys’ High had long periods of possession in the match and were stopped by the gutsy Grammar defence. Handling mistakes in the first half when hot on attack didn’t help either.
However, they kept hammering away and were rewarded with two second-half tries.
Grammar, which scored two long-range tries, led 11-8 at halftime, but gave away toomany penalties at the breakdown.
Boys’ High captain Joe SimpsonSmith, 16, said they stuck to their game plan and structure and it paid off.
The hard-working lock and the rest of the pack fronted up against the bigger Grammar team.
Smith said they knew it was going to be hard as a smaller side, but ‘‘big guys fall harder than small guys’’.
The Boys’ High scrum, anchored by props Pulotu Toumohuni and Zane Munn, monstered Grammar.
With time almost up Grammar had a scrum inside Boys’ High’s 22, but Boys’ High won a crucial scrum penalty to hang on.
First five-eighth Curtis Heaphy won the kicking duel and earned good field position for Boys’ High. Their defence was strong in the second half, too.
Flanker Livai Stevenson and tryscoring No 8 Kahn Mason played well.
Grammar played for 20 minutes with 14 men after two forwards were yellow carded.
Meanwhile, the Manukura boys first XV had a win and a loss on their South Island tour this week.
Manukura lost 16-14 against Shirley Boys’ High School and beat St Andrew’s College 27-26.