Super 8 Football Preview 2017

Hamilton BHS, 2016 winners

The 19th annual First XI Super 8 football tournament will be hosted by Hastings Boys’ High School from Monday to Wednesday next week.

The tournament sees the eight schools split in half for pool play before semi-finals and a final. The pools for 2017 are:
Pool A – Hamilton BHS, New Plymouth BHS, Napier BHS, Hastings BHS.

Pool B – Palmerston North BHS, Tauranga BC, Gisborne BHS, Rotorua BHS.

The tourney appears to be wide open with seven of the eight teams capable of winning on their day. Rotorua BHS may struggle given they were beaten 4-0 by the Tauranga 2nd XI earlier in the season. 

New Plymouth have beaten both Hamilton and Palmerston North in their exchanges this year.

Napier are the clear leaders in Hawkes Bay and have beaten Hastings 3-0 earlier in the season. However, Napier was only fifth in Super 8 in 2016, but finished in the top eight nationally.

Tauranga beat New Plymouth in pre-season, but have a young roster with only three Year 13’s. Hamilton are the defending champions. In last year’s final, they beat Palmerston North 4-0 with Alex Frank, Lachie McIsaac, Luke Woolerton and Chris Goodwin scoring goals.
 
A Few To Watch
Jorge Akers (Napier BHS) – An accomplished left wing or striker who plays for Hawke’s Bay United in the ASB Premiership and Napier City Rovers in the Central League, Akers will be a menace if given the chance to go forward. His father is ex All White Jeff Martin.

Alex Elliott (Tauranga BC) – Tauranga’s most potent striker has scored over 20 interschool goals and will be looking to use his pace, smarts and strong boot to add to that tally. Tauranga once won the Super 8 with a negative goal difference so defender Adam Davidson with his – excellent reading of the game and calm presence will be vital to.

Matt Roodbeen (New Plymouth BHS) – Known for his tough tackling and comfort on the ball exiting the back third. Year 12 striker Pacey Healy also lives him to his name up front in the striking position.

Sam Jones (Palmerston North BHS) – The Palmerston North captain brings great organisational qualities from midfield. A Combative player who also makes great forward runs, providing assists and has scored some crucial goals.
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Lachie McIsaac (Hamilton BHS) – Scored 38 goals for Hamilton last season and has been deadly in front of the net again. The New Zealand Schools selection plays senior club football for Melville United,


Past Winners
1999: Tauranga Boys’ College
2000: New Plymouth Boys’ High School
2001: Tauranga Boys’ College
2002: Hamilton Boys’ High School
2003: Palmerston North Boys’ High School
2004: Palmerston North Boys’ High School
2005: Palmerston North Boys’ High School
2006: Palmerston North Boys’ High School
2007: Tauranga Boys’ College
2008: Napier Boys’ High School
2009: Palmerston North Boys’ High School
2010: Hamilton Boys’ High School
2011: Palmerston North Boys’ High School
2012: Palmerston North Boys’ High School
2013: Hamilton Boys’ High School
2014: Hamilton Boys’ High School
2015: New Plymouth Boys’ High School
2016: Hamilton Boys’ High School


For More Details Click Here: http://www.super8.co.nz/page/football-2017/

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