This year, Hamilton Boys' High School (HBHS) proudly hosted the annual National Invitational Under 15 Rugby Tournament during Winter Tournament Week. The tournament was meticulously organised and skillfully managed by Mr Andrew Hay and Mr Murray McKenzie. Our HBHS rugby team, generously sponsored by Mobicomm, was one of the 16 teams that gathered on the opening day, eager and determined to seize the coveted trophy.

On the first day, we engaged in the first of two highly competitive games, facing Hastings Boys' High School in a thrilling Super 8 fixture. Both teams exhibited exceptional running rugby skills, with Hastings edging us out 17-13, despite a spirited comeback led by our inspirational captain, Maxwell Kara. This loss placed immense pressure on our second game of the day against another Super 8 school, Napier Boys' High School, which became a must-win fixture to keep our trophy aspirations alive. Our team, undaunted by the challenge, surged forward, scoring several sensational tries, including remarkable efforts by Julius Ale-Kaitai and Shakur Cook, leading to a victorious 28-8 outcome.

The second day pitted us against Otago Boys' High School, and our forward pack asserted dominance from the outset, resulting in a resounding 58-7 victory. Standout performances in the forward pack were delivered by Thomas Foote, Heremaia Wharawhara, Deon Fifita, and Synton Bowden. This impressive win propelled us into the quarter-finals, where we faced another formidable Super 8 rival, Tauranga Boys' College.

Day three saw all teams converging at Memorial Park in Cambridge, with the rugby action escalating to a new level of intensity. Despite outstanding displays by Kerry Higgins and Aiden Saxon, we couldn't complete a comeback and were defeated 24-30, ending our pursuit of the top positions. We were now set to compete for places 5th through 8th.

Our game on day four matched us against our traditional rival, Auckland Grammar. Having suffered a significant defeat earlier in the year during our annual exchange game, we were highly motivated to make amends with a stronger defensive effort. Morehu Waitai-Haenga, leading the way with bone-crunching tackles, kept the game tight, and we eventually pulled away with the help of super-sub Toby Wales, sealing a well-deserved 31-17 victory.

The final day brought us back to the hallowed HBHS #1 rugby field for a showdown with Hastings Boys' High School, vying for 5th place. Both teams, fatigued and nursing the soreness of four intense days of competition, found it a bit challenging to summon excitement. We were fortunate to have 1st XV captain Ollie Mathis join us in our game preparations, and his presence undoubtedly inspired us to a resounding 66-32 win, securing our 5th place overall. A special acknowledgment must be made of Ollie Barnett's outstanding performance throughout the full 60 minutes of this final game, earning him the well-deserved Player of the Day award.

We wish to thank all who supported the team including family and friends. We also wish to acknowledge the following individual sponsors who contributed to the support of individual players:

LIMITLESS CREW TOKOROA, PETER MURDOCH TRANSPORT, DREAM DOORS KITCHENS - WAIKATO, THORNTON PARK, BUILT SMART, NEVEK MCTAINSH, GPS ELECTRICAL LTD, CLEVEDON COAST OYSTERS, ALEX WILLIAMS - BARRISTER, TAINUI LOGGING LTD, TŪMATAUENGA, S & C LTD, TUITALA LAW LTD, PAUL NATHAN FENCING LTD, THE PILOT COMPANY, MAK 11 FARMS LTD, ERGOZYME, AGVANCE MINERALS, LEGRAND TOOL SERVICES, INN LAND INN RAROTONGA, DBM, ROB & GAIL WHITE, TE HUA KAWARIKI EDUCATIONAL TRUST, WULFE PACK PASIFIKA, MATUA VENTURES LTD, ULLYSIS PLUMBING & DRAINAGE, 2NINE8 PERFORMANCE, BAY OF ISLANDS BAKERIES, L & A CAMPBELL, S J LINES CARTAGE LTD, BRIAN MARTIN CONTRACTING LTD, SANDRA & TUI FORD, PUMPN, EMPIRE CONCRETE PUMPING LTD, STOREPRO, TE RŪNANGA O NGĀI TAKOTO, KAITAIA SPORT & LEISURE TRUST, REGIONAL TRANSPORT 2020, BUPA ST KILDA, TREETOWN KITCHENS LTD, MOREHU.WH, EVOLUTION SCAFFOLDING LTD, and GVI LOGISTICS LTD.

Photography by Lynnette Ross.