TBHS winning streak best yet
An outstanding game from No 8 Tai Pangi saw Timaru Boys’ High School beat St Andrew’s College 34-26 in their annual 1st XV interschool exchange.
The win also means TBHS remains unbeaten in the Miles Toyota Championship, with six wins in six games, in their best start to a season.
Pangi carried the ball brilliantly with several strong runs and defended superbly around the fringes. Several other forwards also played a crucial role in the victory including prop Bede Fisher who also made big metres with the ball, won several turnovers and put in some very big defensive hits.
Hooker Ben Bartlett was also very good and nabbed a brace of tries while in a good day for the front rowers replacement prop Alipate Lelenoa also made some very good carries.
The bonus point victory means TBHS have gone a long way to securing a semi-final spot.
However, that is not guaranteed as they face a tough run in their next three games against St Bede’s (third on table), Christchurch Boys’ High School (seventh) and St Thomas of Canterbury (second) but fortunately all three games are at home.
At Alpine Energy Stadium TBHS started well with a brilliant try to centre Hugh Cameron.
He climbed above the defence after a pin-point accurate cross kick from first five Taine CordellHull to touch down.
Hooker Ben Bartlett then scored his first try with a drive at the line and Cordell-Hull added the extras.
Midway through the half St Andrew’s got on the scoreboard with prop Tamati Frost scoring from a huge forward drive, with Isiah Armstrong-Ravula adding the conversion to make it 12-7.
Timaru Boys’ had the final say of the half when Bartlett got his second try from a lineout drive, with Cordell-Hull converting for a 15 point lead at the break.
St Andrew’s impressive No 8 and captain Will Stodart got his side back into the game with a try from a quick tap that caught TBHS napping.
A five-minute purple patch for the home side saw second five Toby Clemett score after a bullocking run from Fisher.
Lucas Mullings then scored in a bizarre play by falling on a ricocheting ball over the line after a charged down kick. Cordell-Hull’s conversion gave TBHS a comfortable 20-point margin at 34-14, with 10 minutes to play.
St Andrew’s roared into life in the final few minutes with tries to hooker Conner Newton and replacement Couper Killick to grab a much-needed bonus point.
The forwards paved the way for TBHS with Mullings and blindside David Edh also playing well.
Several backs also put in tidy performances including halfback Ned Milne and first five CordellHull while Clemett carried the ball strongly.
TBHS also took victories in the first XI hockey and football fixtures. Kai Reid scored twice in the opening quarter with Liam Andrew’s adding a late goal to give hockey a 3-0 win, with Steven Ramsay having a blinder in goal to keep a clean sheet.
A brilliant second half saw the TBHS football team net six goals for an 8-1 win. Pero Foreman scored a memorable hat-trick with Ryan Bagrie bagging a double. Reese Burtenshaw, Alex Kim and Iggy Faeldin also got on the score sheet.
Points: Timaru Boys’ High School 29, St Thomas 27, St Bede’s College 25, Timaru Boys’ High School, Christ’s College 22, Nelson College 22, Christchurch BHS 19, St Andrew’s College 16, Rangiora High School 14, Marlborough Boys’ College 11, Shirley BHS 10, Lincoln Combined 10, Mid Canterbury Combined 6, Waimea Combined 5, Roncalli Aoraki Combined 1.