Fantastic first hit out of the 2021 School Rugby Season!
Our talented young group of men are looking forward to building on the success from the 2020 season. This year we revert back to the original Brockbank Graves Series format that includes four Canterbury Schools of Ellesmere College, Darfield HS, Kaikoura HS and Rolleston HS along with the four West Coast Schools - John Paul II HS, Buller HS, Westland HS and Greymouth HS.
The format of the series sees the West Coast Schools in one pool, Canterbury Schools in the other, crossover games take place for semifinals, with the higher finisher in pool play hosting the game. Then the final dance of playoffs again, the higher finishing team has the hosting rights.
We would like to thank Colin Thomas from Think Water West Coast for their sponsorship of the 1st XV warm up tees, the boys are very appreciative and excited to be kitted out with these. They looked fantastic on the field proudly showing off the new kit.
The first game of the season was an unfortunate default from Westland HS however the boys could not be more excited to run out against old foes John Paul II HS on the fantastic John Sturgeon Park.
Plenty of rain the day prior made for a damp surface, but the park is a fantastic ground and being the third game of the day it held up extremely well for all the teams.
PHOTOS - Thank you to the many photographers we had at the game, please follow the links below to check out some of the action!
Thank you to referee Jamie Rodges, ARs Colin van der Geest and Will England for officiating this game.
Congratulations to the GHS boys on a fantastic first hit out of the season and to the coaching team of Mr Bermingham and Mr McTaggart - the work the coaches have been putting in could clearly be seen and the fantastic commitment from the team - bring on the next fixture!
FIRST HALF
The game started off with an excited tempo and both teams not giving too much away. GHS gained a kickable penalty early on and direction from the Coaching team was to take the early points. Griffin Thomas was on the tee and slotted through the 3 points to give GHS the early lead.
After a long time of back and forth between the teams then a longer period of sustained pressure Kallim Symonds crossed the line for GHS's first try.
JPII used a well worked tight line out close to the try line finding the gap in the defence to go in for a try at the corner. This rounded out the points scoring from a tight first half with both teams getting a feel for the game.
HALF TIME: Greymouth HS 8 - 5 John Paul II
SECOND HALF
Teams came out from the break firing and ready for some more rugby. GHS had the first real opportunity to get on the board but JPII had some great defence holding up the possible try. GHS got the put into the scrum and the forward pack went to work - Fa Masala unstoppable that close to the line and proudly went over for GHS's second try of the game, and importantly the first points of the second half. Thomas from the boot added those important extra points.
The GHS boys were on the front foot after yet again receiving another penalty within the opposition 22, quick thinking the boys took a quick tap - Co-Captain Reuben Taylor was lurking out in the wings as any good lock does and went over for a great try.
The team was working very well stringing together phases, working very well close to the line and this time Lochie Rose was the one to get his name on the scoresheet. Thomas again adding a good conversion with the boot.
Derek Chizuni who has been causing problems all game with his hard straight forward running was rewarded - he busted through tackles to get over the line running in GHS's fifth try of the game.
JPII were not to be outdone and scored a fantastic try to end the game by catching GHS off guard from the restart.
FULL TIME: Greymouth HS 32 - 10 John Paul II