Hamilton BHS to Defend Super 8 Title Against Napier BHS

Hamilton Boys’ High School bounced back from yesterday’s shock loss to earn a place in the Super 8 First XI football final where they will play Napier Boys’ High School who remained unbeaten on Day two.




Game 9 (Pool B) – Hastings BHS v Napier BHS
Top of the Pool Napier played bottom placed Hastings in the last game of the pool stage.  Hastings Coach Grant Hastings asked his players for a passionate performance and both teams didn’t disappoint.  Whilst Napier had a lot of possession early the game was turned on its head with a goal from Hastings forward Niko Nanumea.  Napier Boys’ responded and then scored again to take a 2-1 lead.  Niko Nanumea then made an excellent break to score of a rebound to level the game.


The second half saw Napier deservedly edge in front once more.  Hastings Boys’ goal scorer Nanumea then got caught up in the passion of the game and was red carded for treading on his opponent.  Napier Boys’ Captain Campbell Hantler lost his head and was subsequently sent off for retaliation.  Both players will now be unavailable for selection for the cross over games. The final score was 3-2 to Napier.


Game 10 (Pool B) – Hamilton BHS v New Plymouth BHS
In a game both teams needed to win to finish top of the group last year’s champions Hamilton Boys’ proved too strong. Without suspended captain John Clout, who was red carded yesterday, Hamilton produced a quality performance to win the game 5-0.  Hamilton were up 3-0 at half time, but it could have been a lot worse if New Plymouth goal keeper Will Hart hadn’t been in fantastic form.  Goal scorers for Hamilton were: Kyle Kirsten, Levi Clarke, Alex Frank with 2 and Matthew Shaw.


Game 11 (Pool A) – Tauranga BC v Palmerston North BHS
The winner of this game would top Pool A so clearly there was a lot to play for with both teams on two wins each so far.  Tauranga again proved to be a very good footballing side moving the ball extremely well at times.  The decisive moments took place in the first period with Adam Davidson and Alex Elliot scoring for TBC.  With the half time score at 2-0 no further goals were added leaving Tauranga Boys’ College top of the pool.


Game 12 (Pool A) – Gisborne BHS v Rotorua BHS
Whilst both teams already knew they were to be playing in the bottom four, this turned out to be a really competitive game played in good spirits.  Gisborne took a 1-0 lead into half time and doubled the lead in the second half to win 2-0.  Gisborne’s goal scorers were Andrew Brott and Captain Riaki Ruru.


Final Pool Tables
POOL A
Tauranga Boys’ College 9 points
Palmerston North BHS 6 points
Gisborne BHS 3 points
Rotorua BHS 0 points


POOL B
Napier BHS 9 points
Hamilton BHS 6 points
New Plymouth BHS 3 points
Hastings BHS 0 points


Bottom Four Cross Over Games


Game 13 (3rd in Pool A v 4th in Pool B) – Gisborne BHS v Hastings BHS
The hosts again showed a lot of passion, but again the difference was execution in front of goal.  Whilst Hastings did well in the first half they clearly missed their suspended top scorer Falaniko Nanumea due to a previous red card.  Gisborne BHS did finish their chances and deservedly won the game 3-0.  Both teams will hope to finish the tournament well tomorrow.


Game 14 (3rd in Pool B v 4th in Pool A) – Rotorua BHS v New Plymouth BHS
New Plymouth didn’t quite do enough to make it into the top four, but on this showing, wouldn’t have been out of place with a resounding 6-0 win. Goal scorers were: Kernow Phillips (3), Cormac Tindle, Ross Malcolm and Cam Burnell.


Top 4 Cross Over Games


Game 15 (1st in Pool A v 2nd in Pool B) – Tauranga BC v Hamilton BHS
This was an end to end game that could have gone either way.  After quite a few games on the Akina Park the surface made ‘total football’ difficult.  Tauranga BC scored first through Adam Davidson, but Hamilton returned the favour to level after just 5 minutes. Hamilton scored before half time through a length of the field counter attack finished off by Alex Frank. No more goals were scored in the second half meaning defending champions Hamilton BHS will again be in the final.


Game 16 (1st in Pool B v 2nd in Pool A) – Palmerston North BHS v Napier BHS
In another strong performance from both teams it was edged by a very early goal scored by NBHS top scorer Jorge Akers taking his tally for the tournament to four goals.  With some excellent defending and good structure from both teams, as well as the poor quality of the Akina Park pitch, both teams couldn’t convert any more of their chances.  Napier BHS have displayed excellent character and quality through the tournament.


Finals Draw
7v8 Play Off Hastings Boys’ HS v Rotorua BHS 9.00am Start on Akina Park 1
5v6 Play Off New Plymouth BHS v Gisborne BHS 9.00am Start on Akina Park 2
3v4 Play Off Palmerston North BHS v Tauranga BC 9.00am Start on HBHS 2
1v2 Final Napier Boys’ HS v Hamilton BHS 10.45am Start on HBHS 1

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