17/12/2016
Brilliant Start to World Sevens![]() The inaugural G.J. Gardner Homes World Schools Sevens was a resounding success at Sacred Heart College in Auckland today. The weather was stunning and the action hot in a tournament that will hopefully grow in stature. The New Zealand Condors team predictably captured the girls title, but there were plenty of surprises in the Boys Section. Girls It was an all Kiwi final with the New Zealand Condors and Wasps teams proving too strong for Australia and Samoa. The Condors were crowned inaugural champions after a hard-fought 19-12 win in the finale. The Wasps began brightly with a breakout, but an errant pass was intercepted by Laruen Balsillie who raced 65-meters for the first try. The Wasps were unperturbed and Ora Williams responded from a scrum. Montessa Tairakena propelled the underdogs into a shock lead when from a static start she waded through traffic and dashed 35-meters to the posts. However Balsillie levelled the scores with her second before the interval. The second-half was a tight affair with both sides creating chances, but an Alena Saili seven-pointer three minutes before the end proved decisive. Earlier the Condors were forced to defend for long periods in their last group game against Australia, but were easy winners over Wasps (despite conceding the first try) and Samoa. Wellington Pride representative Ayesha Leti-iga hit the ground running early scoring two tries against Wasps and adding another double along with Jazmin Hotham and Ainsleyana Puleiata against Samoa. Against Australia two quick tries by Alena Saili saw the Condors jump to a 12-0 lead, but Australia who played without luck all day kept asking questions of the defense and closed the gap to 12-5. Hotham, who scored a try in every group game, eventually suppressed the Aussies resistance. Australia scored two tries in two minutes to earn a draw in the first game of the day against Samoa. Ricshay Lemanu from Papatoetoe High School made history by scoring the first try of the tournament and added another one a short time later as Samoa surged ahead early. However Brydie Parker sprinted 65-meters with a minute to go and then finished another breakout to earn a share of the honours. Wasps comfortably beat Samoa 31-7 with Rina Paraone and Keoria Heyblom scoring two tries each which left the Wasps v Australia game as the key fixture in determining the finalists. In contrast to the Samoa match, Australia kicked ahead with two early tires to Captain Demi Hayes and Millie Boyle. However the Wasps stung back and an inspirational try to Heyblom where she wriggled past three defenders and a late winner for Montessa Tairakena nudged Wasps into the decider. Australia's heart was eventually rewarded when they reversed a 12-7 halftime deficit to beat Samoa 14-12 in the Plate Final. Demi Hayes scored both tries for Australia. Girls Results Group: Australia: 19 v Samoa: 19 Group: New Zealand Condors: 22 v New Zealand Wasps: 7 Group: New Zealand Condors: 34 v Samoa: 0 Group: Australia Girls: 19 v NZ Wasps: 22 Group: Samoa Barbarians: 7 v NZ Wasps: 29 Group: New Zealand Condors: 19 v Australia: 5 Plate Final: Australia: 14 v Samoa: 12 Cup Final: New Zealand Condors: 19 v New Zealand Wasps: 12 Boys The New Zealand Condors started in a hurry, but Australia and Samoa Barbarians had the last say with the latter upsetting the former in the semi-finals and then succumbing to Australia 24-19 in a gripping final. Sam Wallace was the hero for Australia gritting his teeth and lumbering 65-meters to score a try with the last play when scores were tied at 19-19. Samoa had snatched the lead with two dramatic tries. Godinet Tinei cross-kicked for Tanielu Tele'a who crossed unopposed and the exceptional Siave Togoiu blitzed the defense to thrill the audience for the umpteenth time. Togoiu had been the catalyst for Samoa's upset of the New Zealand Condors. A stunning four try blitz in the first-half left New Zealand on the canvas. Tries were scored by Johna Mau'u, Logon Fonoti, Tenei and Togoiu for Samoa. New Zealand railed with tries to Josh Moorby, Hoskins Sotutu and Charlie Lawrence, but Togoiu engineered a fifth strike for Samoa and New Zealand was consigned to the Plate. Australia started with a lacklustre 19-19 draw against the New Zealand Maori. Ariki Hood-Kaitapu scored two outstanding tries for the Maori, responding to tries scored by James Armstrong, Connor Size and Tate McDermott in a largely unflattering performance. Fast starts were later a feature of Australia's play. The Samoa Barbarians and New Zealand Fijians were convincingly dispatched with Australia only conceding points late in the second-half. Dylan Piestch proved to be an eye-catching talent and scored three tries in those games. The New Zealand Condors started with routine wins, but a lack of a test would prove telling. To their credit they bounced back hard to capture the Plate beating Fiji by the same score they achieved in the round-robin. Devon Flanders, a standout throughout the day, and Mosese Pepa scored two tries each. New Zealand Barbarian Matene Ruawai scored two tries in the Bowl final, including a steal from a maul where he then fended off two players rushed 75-meters. Boys Results Group: Samoa Barbarians: 31 v New Zealand Maori: 5 Group: New Zealand Fijians: 38 v Cook Islands: 5 Group: Australia: 19 v New Zealand Maori: 19 Group: New Zealand: 40 v Cook Islands: 0 Group: Australia: 33 v Samoa Barbarians: 12 Group: New Zealand Condors: 34 v New Zealand Fijians: 7 Semi-Final: Australia: 22 v New Zealand Fijians: 14 Semi-Final: Samoa Barbarians: 31 v New Zealand Condors: 19 Bowl Final: New Zealand Maori: 34 v Cook Islands: 0 Plate Final: New Zealand Condors: 34 v New Zealand Fijians: 7 Cup Final: Australia: 24 v Samoa Barbarians: 19 ![]() The inaugural World Schools Sevens rugby tournament is being hosted by Sacred Heart College in Auckland tomorrow. The 10-team event features five different countries, with the US women unable to attend due to funding. There will be over a dozen national secondary schools representative players on display and if the tournament is a success the prospects of growth are good. The tournament is the brainchild of Condor Sevens organiser Phil Gaze and can be seen on Sky TV from 10am Saturday. College Sport Media will have full coverage as well. World School Rugby Sevens Draw: Boys’ Pool Play: 10.44am: Samoa Barbarians v NZ Maori 11.06am: NZ Fijians v Cook Islands 12.12pm: Australia Boys v NZ Maori 12.34pm: NZ Condors v Cook Islands Boys 1.40pm: Australia Boys v Samoa Barbarians 2.02pm: New Zealand Condors v NZ Fijians Finals: 2.46pm: Semi Final 1 (1st Pool A v 2nd Pool B) 3.08pm: Semi Final 2 (1st Pool B v 2nd Pool A) 3.30pm: Bowl Final (3rd Pool A v 3rd Pool B) 4.14pm: Plate Final (Runner up Semi Final 1 v Runner up Semi Final 2) 4.36pm: Championship Final (Winner Semi Final 1 v Winner Semi Final 2) Girls’ Pool Play: 10.22am: New Zealand Condors v NZ Wasps 11.28am: Australia Girls v NZ Wasps 12.56pm: Samoa Barbarians v NZ Wasps Finals: 2.24pm: Plate Final (3rd Pool C v 4th Pool C) 3.52pm: Girls Final (1st Pool C v 2nd Pool C) Teamlists: The New Zealand Boys Maori and Condor teams and the New Zealand Girls Sevens Invitational and New Zealand Wasps Girls sides can be viewed here: http://www.collegesportmedia.co.nz/rugby-union/world-schools-sevens-teams-announced The New Zealand Fijians Cook Island Schools Boys and Samoa Barbarians Boys and Girls sides are below – with the New Zealand players and their schools in brackets. Fiji Schools Boys 1. Tumeli Derenalagi (Queen Victoria School, Fiji) 2. Semesa Saukuru (Wesley College, NZ) 3. Loqorio Waqanidrola (Lindisfarne College, NZ) 4. Patrick Stark (New Plymouth BHS, NZ) 5. Iliesa Junior Ratuva (King's College, NZ) 6. Esi Komaisavai (Rongotai College, NZ) 7. Jese Qaraniqio (Aorere College, NZ) 8. Apisai Sailo (Wesley College, NZ) 9. Selestino Ravutamud (Rotorua BHS, NZ) 10. Saiasi Qiokata (New Plymouth BHS, NZ) 11. Lupeti Chay Fihaki (Sacred Heart College, NZ) 12. Caleb Cavubati (Scots College, NZ) Samoa Schools Boys 1. EJ Toeava (De La Salle College) 2. Iosefo Masoe (Sacred Heart College) 3. Tuna Tautalafua (Kelston Boys' High School) 4. Godinet Tinei (Liston College) 5. Maxwell Toailoa (Kelston Boys' High School) 6. Tanielu Tele'a (St. Kenitgern College) 7. Siave Togoiu (Southern Cross Campus) 8. Caleb Faalili (De La Salle College) 9. Mose Senio (Aorere College) 10. Simon-Peter Toleafoa (De La Salle College) 11. Logan Fonoti (Sacred Heart College) 12. Kakoi Togoiu (Southern Cross Campus) 13. Johna Mau'u (Dilworth School) 14. Numia Teofilo (Kia Aroha College) Samoa Schools Girls 1. Nive Taulanga (Aorere College) 2. Sarah Filimoetau (Tangaroa College) 3. Ana Mamea (Aorere College) 4. Ricshay Lemanu (Papatoetoe High School) 5. Mary-Jane Finau (Aorere College) 6. Jodeci Alaelua (Tangaroa College) 7. Mikayla Eli (Southern Cross Campus) 8. Marlene Roberts (Tangaroa College) 9. Utu Atonio (Rosehill College) 10. Aki Piliu (Manurewa High School) 11. Hevyn Filipe (Aorere College) 12. Paris Saumani (Wesley College) 13. Jay-Lee Manase (Tamaki College) Cook Islands Schools Boys 1. Jake Malbon 2. Jacob Foster-Hall 3. Al Jermaine Epati (Mount Albert Grammar School) 4. Ethan Cayless 5. Mataroa Maui 6. Nicholas Maui 7. Josh Numanga (King's College) 8. Isaac Lulia (Mount Albert Grammar School) 9. Josh Motu 10. John- Phillip Ngatoko (Aorere College) 11. Tearetoa Tupuna (One Tree Hill College) 12. Adidas Hapi 13. Jahvis Moke (New Plymouth Boys' High School) World School Rugby Sevens Draw: Boys’ Pool Play: 10.44am: Samoa Barbarians v NZ Maori 11.06am: NZ Fijians v Cook Islands 12.12pm: Australia Boys v NZ Maori 12.34pm: NZ Condors v Cook Islands Boys 1.40pm: Australia Boys v Samoa Barbarians 2.02pm: New Zealand Condors v NZ Fijians Finals: 2.46pm: Semi Final 1 (1st Pool A v 2nd Pool B) 3.08pm: Semi Final 2 (1st Pool B v 2nd Pool A) 3.30pm: Bowl Final (3rd Pool A v 3rd Pool B) 4.14pm: Plate Final (Runner up Semi Final 1 v Runner up Semi Final 2) 4.36pm: Championship Final (Winner Semi Final 1 v Winner Semi Final 2) Girls’ Pool Play: 10.22am: New Zealand Condors v NZ Wasps 11.28am: Australia Girls v NZ Wasps 12.56pm: Samoa Barbarians v NZ Wasps Finals: 2.24pm: Plate Final (3rd Pool C v 4th Pool C) 3.52pm: Girls Final (1st Pool C v 2nd Pool C)
13/12/2016
Strong Rebound – Joshua Moorby![]() In the National Top Four semi-final Joshua Moorby lined-up a penalty to tie the match with five minutes to go. Hamilton BHS trailed Hastings BHS 13-10, but a goal and a draw would have been sufficient to propel Hamilton into the final. The ball struck the post and Hastings advanced to the decider. “I was guttered to miss that kick. I thought about it for a long time because I knew it was a big moment in a close game. I believed we could have won, but after that miss I kind of knew it was all over,” Moorby confesses. A few months later Moorby is a double national champion. He was a member of the touch and sevens sides that captured National glory for Hamilton in Auckland in the past fortnight. The National touch title was a special bonus. “I hadn’t played much touch before but I was encouraged to join the top team after a few injures. It was tough learning all the new moves, but I really enjoyed it,” Moorby says. For the third year in a row Hamilton and Rotorua BHS clashed in the final. Unlike the previous two years Hamilton prevailed 8-7, despite trailing 4-2 at halftime. “There was an element of ‘here we go again,’ but we dug deep and wanted it more. It was a special win,” Moorby enthuses. Hamilton scored the winning try with about five minutes to go and hung on. “There is a really keen rivalry with Rotorua. I am not sure how it started, but the matches are always really close,” Moorby says. A week earlier Hamilton eliminated Rotorua in the semi-finals of the Condors 28-26. Hamilton thrashed Feilding High School 29-5 in the final after earlier eliminating hosts Sacred Heart College 14-5 in the quarters. Moorby scored both tries in that latter match and his searing pace saw him selected for the tournament team. Curiously Joshua’s brother Cameron is a burly prop. “Pace comes from my Mum’s side. I was surprised I was the only Hamilton player to make the tournament team. I thought our captain Kieran Lee would definitely get in, especially given some of the other teams had more than one player,” Moorby says. Moorby intends to stay in Hamilton next year. It will take a lot more than a goalpost to stop this lad.
9/12/2016
World Schools Sevens Teams AnnouncedThe inaugural GJ Gardner World Schools Sevens pilot event will take place on Saturday December 17th at Sacred Heart College with six teams in the boys division and four in the girls division.
The boys teams are Australia, NZ Condors, NZ Maori, NZ Fijians, Samoan Barbarians and the Cook Islands. The girls teams are Australia, NZ Condors, NZ Wasps, Samoan Barbarians. The tournament will take place from 10am-4:30pm and will be live on Sky Sport. The majority of players named in the 4 NZ teams also played in the recent National Secondary School Sevens Finals known as the Condors last weekend but also includes a few who didn’t play at the Condors – to see the teams New Zealand Maori Sevens Invitational Team: 1. Tamati Williams (Kerikeri High School) 2. Matene Ruawai (Palmerston North Boys High School) 3. Trent Hape (Hasting Boys High School) 4. Rewita Biddle (St Peters School) 5. Brady Rush (Kerikeri High School) 6. Kieran Lee (Hamilton Boys High School) 7. Ariki Hood-Kaitapu (Westlake Boys High School) 8. Robert Rush (Kerikeri High School) 9. Matangireia Yates-Francis (Rotorua Boys High School) 10. Te Ra Whata (Rotorua Boys High School) 11. Raiki Willison (Hamilton Boys High School) 12. Will Ngatai (Tauranga Boys College) 13. Grayson Whitman (St Patricks Town) New Zealand Condor Sevens Boys Invitational Team: 1. Devan Flanders (Hastings Boys High School) 2. Hoskins Sotutu (Sacred Heart College) 3. Jack McHugh (Sacred Heaert College) 4. Vilimoni Koroi (Fielding High School) 5. Billy Proctor (St Patricks Town) 6. Scott Gregory (Whangarei Boys High School) 7. Etene Nanai (St Kentigern College) 8. Charles Lawrence (Hamilton Boys High School) 9. TJ Ane (De La Salle College) 10. Leroy Carter (Tauranga Boys College) 11. Lincoln McClutichie (Hastings Boys High School) 12. Mosese Dawai (Fielding High School) 13. Mosese Pepa (Aorere College) New Zealand Condors Sevens Girls Invitational Team: 1. Florida Fatanitavake (Glenfield College) 2. Georgia Ponsonby (Fielding High School) 3. Kendall Buckingham (Southland Girls High School) 4. Chyene Copeland (St Marys College) 5. Risaleaana Pouri-Lane (Motueka High School) 6. Alena Saili (Southland Girls High Schoo) 7. Ayesha Leti-iga (Porirua College) 8. Lyruic Faleafaga (St Marys College) 9. Dhys Faleafaga (St Marys College) 10. Laruen Balsille (Fielding Old Boys) 11. Jazmin Hotham (Hamilton Girls High School) 12. Monica Tagoa’I (St Marys College) 13. Ainsleyana Puleiata (St Marys College) New Zealand Wasps Sevens Girls Invitational Team: 1. Rina Paraone (Kaipara College) 2. Parekura Wahreaorere (Te Puke High School) 3. Tynelle Fitzgerald (Trident High School) 4. Kenneday Tahu (Cambridge High School) 5. Ora Williams (Taupo Nia-a-Tia) 6. Jade Tuilaepa (Tauranga Girls College) 7. Koroia Heyblom (Te Puke High School) 8. Lavinia Tauhalaiku (Southern Cross Campus) 9. Karli Faneva (Taumaranui High School) 10. Stiva Tarau-Peehikuru (Kaipara College) 11. Isla Norman-Bell (Rangitoto) 12. Jade Carter (Tauranga Girls High School) 13. Montessa Tairakena (Tai Wananga Kura) ![]() Jazmin Hotham was told by dad at the start of the year if she didn't get excellence in NCEA she couldn't play sport in 2017. The Year 11 at Hamilton Girls' High School was named MVP of the Condor Sevens on Sunday and is the captain of the Senior Touch team headed to Nationals this Friday in Auckland. With a rapidly growing sporting resume has dad change his mind? "I am not sure, but I was only 12 credits short of excellence heading into the exams so hopefully I get the big E," Hotham says. Jazmin's father is Nigel Hotham the long-time coach of the perennially successful Hamilton Boys' High School First XV, Touch and Sevens teams. A venture into these codes seemed pre-ordained for Jazmin. "I played a lot of football and athletics when I was younger. This is my first serious year of rugby and I have really enjoyed it. It's an adrenaline rush running and tackling," Hotham says. Hotham set plenty of hearts racing at the Condors last weekend. Her thrilling 85-metre try avoiding four defenders on a diagonal run essentially won Hamilton their semi-final against Motueka High School. She scored the first try of the final and was crucial in reversing the first day defeat to Southern Cross Campus. Despite finishing bridesmaid to St. Mary's College, Hotham was delighted with her team’s effort. "We were able to say afterwards we all came together and left it all out there. Even though I knew we had lost the final I was yelling right to the end 'we can do this.' To get the last try was important for us," Hotham insists. Despite her excellence Hotham was genuinely surprised and humbled to win MVP. "I most definitely didn't expect to win it. There were so many good and experienced players at the tournament. I thought Monica Tagoai, Cheyne Copeland or Alena Saili might win it," Hotham says. Hotham is hoping for more silverware at Touch Nationals. Hamilton is a regular title contender and this year should be no different. "Were a young team, but we have really gelled. We won the Regional tournament beating St. Peter's Cambridge in the final," Hotham enthuses. There are only three Year 13's and six Year 11's in the Hamilton roster. Hotham is the captain and plays middle. She enjoys defence and organising attacks. "I play alongside my best friend Manaia Waudby in the middle. That's a lot of fun. We really like playing together and have a good combo," Hotham explains. Hotham identifies Arorangi Tauranga as another player to watch while she expects defending champions St. Kentigern College to present the fiercest challenge. "I can't wait. It's going to be a really exciting tournament," Hotham concludes. ![]() I didn’t know if I could make the final. I won the semi-final, but it was a bloody struggle,” Tom Moulai concedes of his 800-metres semi-final heat at the National Secondary Schools Athletics Championships in Auckland. In the warm up to the semis Moulai sustained a Grade-2 ankle sprain and battled grimly to victory. “I was warming up on the back track and felt it go. It was pretty painful,” Moulai says. The 18-year-old from St Bede’s College was always going to try and run one last time for his school, but a career best performance seemed unlikely. Moulai ran a new lifetime best of 1:54.43 to finish 0.96 clear of silver medalist Joshua Nairne from St Patricks College, Wellington. “I guess the adrenalin kicked in, but I am pretty sore now. It was quite a young field. I hadn’t run against a lot of these guys before which made me nervous,” Moulai reflects. It was a stellar weekend for the Moulai family. Younger brother Nick shattered a nine-year-old national record in the senior 3000m. Nick won a gold in 8min 16.77sec, whipping 5.18sec off Dallas Bowden’s 2007 mark, set in Wellington. Moulai’s winning time was more than 35 seconds faster than his time over 3000m at the same event last year, when he crossed the line in 8min 52.59sec to finish second in the junior boys event. Barely a couple of hours after Tom’s 800 metre triumph, Nick was right in contention heading up the back straight in the Senior Boys 1500m final, but faded after a collision barely 50 metres from home. Earlier this year Nick became the first athlete in the under-16 boys section to run under four minutes for the metric mile. He clocked 3min 59.47sec at the South Island secondary schools championships in Timaru in April, breaking Tom’s two-year record in the process. “It’s crazy what Nick did,” Tom says. “We are both really competitive and I think that brings out the best in both of us.” Tom wasn’t the only St. Bede’s athlete to overcame injury to win gold. Hamish Gill won the 110m hurdles despite facing shoulder surgery on Thursday. The First XV winger almost stumbled over the final hurdle too! 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4/12/2016
Condors: New History, Old History![]() After a record 142 matches the 2016 Condor Sevens Champions have been crowned at Sacred Heart College in Auckland. Hamilton Boys' High School have successfully defended the title they captured in Kelston a year ago while St. Mary's College have created history for a Wellington school by winning the girls title for the first time. It was an action-packed day in tropical sun. Tuga Mativa was approached by a friend in 2015 offering him a chance to mentor the St. Mary's College First XV and Sevens teams. The Ories premier winger was initially reluctant, but after some serious arm twisting accepted the job. Just over 12 months later St. Mary's are the National Champions defeating Hamilton Girls' High School 19-17 in the final. Hamilton controlled the ball initially shifting it from side to side and breaking through when tournament MVP Jazmin Hotham scampered away. St. Mary's were nervy, overthrowing a lineout and spilling the ball close to the line twice. Dhys Faleafaga and Cheyne Copeland were the guilty party after bustling runs. Captain Monica Tagoia eventually settled the apprehension when she powered over. Copeland converted and it was 7-5. Lyric Faleafaga beat an opposing defender with a left-foot step to make it 12-5. St. Mary's hassled Hamilton into errors with some punishing defense and when Ivana Samani scored from a Copeland break St. Mary's looked home and hosed. Hamilton showed their mettle and rallied, but their last try to Te Mai Ora Olsen-Baker was on the siren and two wobbly conversions to St. Mary's was the difference. Mativa was naturally delighted with his girls achievement. "We started in Division II in Wellington and won the Condors down their last year. We came up to Auckland for a bit of fun and learned a lot. We put some structures in place, built numbers and we are blessed with some great talent. I am a really proud coach," Mativa enthused. Earlier St. Mary's revenged their Top Four final defeat to Southland Girls' High School winning a blockbuster semi-final 19-5. Lyric Faleafaga scored an early try to put St. Mary's ahead and then shudders were felt around Glen Innes. Ainsleyana Puleiata absolutely smashed a would-be attacker who was left prone on the ground for several minutes. The tackle jolted the beers the Brothers were gently sipping in their house on the hill. The action got even hotter when Copeland ran down speedster Emma Hopcroft to prevent a try for Southland and then the opposite happened with Hopcroft yellow carded for a high tackle as Copeland galloped away. Puleiata inflicted further pain scoring St. Mary's second try and then Copeland scooted away for the clincher. Yesterday Tauranga and St. Mary's shared a draw in Pool Play, but despite defending for long periods today, St. Mary's played with greater passion and polish to romp home 41-0. St. Mary's scored three tries in the first-half and four in the second. The try scorers were: Puleiata (2) Dhys Faleafaga, Samani, Tagoia, Lomia Fa'amausili and Copeland. Hamilton earned their path to the final edging a fast-finishing Motueka High School 19-17 in the semi-final and reversing yesterdays defeat to Southern Cross in the quarters. In the semi-final Hamilton charged ahead three tries to one with Hotham, Arorangi Tauranga and Lonita Ngalu scoring tries. Hotham's thrilling 85-meter try avoiding four defenders on a diagonal ran was one of the best tries of the day. The outstanding Sydnee Wilkins scored two late tries for Motueka, but the clock proved to be an enemy. It was a top afternoon for Hamilton BHS coach Nigel Hotham. In addition to his daughter winning girls MVP, Nigel and his long-time associates Greg Kirkham and Logan Asplinwon their fourth Condors. Hamilton silenced the home crowd early defeating Sacred Heart College 14-5 in the quarter-final. Joshua Moorby scored two quick tries to ensure Sacred Heart was chasing the whole time. Despite Hamilton conceding a yellow card and a try to Lemeki Namoa, Sacred Heart lacked accuracy and fell short. In the semi-finals, Hamilton met Rotorua and powered four tries to one ahead at the interval. Kieran Lee, Tevita Fa'ukafa and Charlie Lawrence were full of running and each scored tries. Rotorua launched a desperate rally sparked by a Jayden Sargent try and some inspired play by Michael Vaeno and Viliami Tosi, but fell to Hamilton at the same stage for a second successive year. Rotorua Boys' High School had foiled an impressive Liston College 33-17 in the quarter finals. Liston is a rapidly improving school out in West Auckland - so long the rugby domain of Kelston BHS. They forced Rotorua to hit top gear at times. Hayze Perham scored two tries for Rotorua and Kaleb Trask set up a delightful try for Jake Quin with a debt chip kick. Anzelo Tuitavuki shined for Liston. He scored two tries, though one was from an apparent knock-on, but there was no dispute about his 75-meter effort earlier in the game. Tauranga Boys' College continued their stellar tourney punishing a ragged Kelston BHS 26-5 in the quarter-finals. Tauranga was never in danger of losing the game and tries were scored by Leroy Carter, Gordie Lloyd, Harry O'Dea and Keita Yamamoto. In the semi-finals Fielding proved too strong with Fijian flyers Mosese Dawai and Vili Koroi in damaging form. Feilding was anything but comfortable winners in their quarter final against St. Pats Town, recovering from 12-0 down to win. Billy Procter and Sia Paese struck in the first period for Town, but Feilding stayed in the hunt and took the lead when NZ Schools rep Vili Koroi dashed 85-meters, changing speed several times to outgun the Town defense. Feilding's other tries were scored by Hunter Aiken, Dawai and Jack Kinder. Sacred Heart proved to be a great venue and will host the tourney for the next two years. They could for 289.
3/12/2016
Day of surprises at Condor SevensThe biggest Condor Sevens ever is set for a pulsating finish on Sunday after Day One produced plenty of genuine surprises at Sacred Heart College. Hastings Boys' High School (runners up in 2015) were shocked by Tauranga Boys' College and will playoff for consolation prizes. Liston College (boys) has achieved an historic first by reaching the Cup quarter finals while 2015 Girls winners Hamilton Girls' High School were toppled by Southern Cross Campus. Hurricanes Champions Hastings scored routine victories against Rangitoto College and Palmerston North BHS, but a late Carlos Levao try ensured Tauranga caused a boilover to eliminate Hastings. The very last game of the day saw Hamilton Girls' succumb to Southern Cross. In a seesaw contest, two tries by Amelia Tulelei proved the telling difference for the Aucklanders. There was high drama in Pool R as Wellington Girls Champions St. Marys College faced an anxious finish to their game against Tauranga Girls College. Ahead 12-7, Captain Monica Tagoai bullied her way through the defence and appeared to have scored the winning try. However an off the ball infringement resulted in a penalty and a yellow card against St. Mary's. Tauranga tied the scores with a try, but the conversion slid wide off the target and St. Mary's topped their group, but have to face Tauranga again in a fascinating quarter final replay. Jade Tuilaepa's 85-metre try for Tauranga was one of the best of the whole day. Lyric Faleafaga was on song for St. Mary's scoring four tries across the day, Cheyne Copeland and Tagoai got three each. Motueka High School also impressed, winning a particularly enthralling match late in the day against South Island rivals Christchurch Girls’ High School. Pool F featuring Liston College, Kerikeri High School, Wesley College and Timaru BHS was expected to be wide open and Liston sneaked into the Cup round after Wesley shockingly didn't win a single game. Auckland Boys champions Aorere College were eliminated with Kelston Boys' High School impressively winning Pool G. The Kelston v Aorere match was a highly charged affair. Despite two tries by Lewis Soosemea, Abel Magalogo (2), Josefa Kolinisav and Sale Savelio scored tries for Kelston in a resounding victory. Defending champions Hamilton Boys' High School were forced to work hard by local rivals St. Paul's Collegiate to earn their passage into the Cup. Hamilton won a gripping tussle between the two unbeaten teams in Pool A 21-14. Tries to Joshua Moorby, Kieran Lee and Charlie Lawrence had Hamilton well ahead, but St. Paul's rallied. Tries to Della Neli and Fergus Burke closed the gap to seven and St. Paul's dropped the ball over the try line twice. Heavyweights Rotorua BHS, Sacred Heart College, St. Pats Town and Southland GHS all advanced comfortably to the Cup quarter finals. Saia Paese (Town), Kaleb Trask (Rotorua), Hoskin Sotutu (Sacred Heart) and Alena Saili (Southland GHS) were in particularly menacing form. Jack McHugh had the honour of scoring the first try of the day and proceeded to collect a double in Sacred Heart's win against Francis Douglas Memorial College. GIRLS POOLSBOYS POOLSFINALS DRAW
2/12/2016
Rotorua Roars At U15 Condors![]() Rotorua Boys' High School and Rotorua Girls' High School have won the National Under-15 Condor Sevens titles at Sacred Heart College in Auckland today. Both sides went through the tourney unbeaten and scored impressive victories built around torrid defence and blistering long-range attacks in the final. Rotorua Girls' accounted for Aorere College 19-0 in the Girls decider and Rotorua Boys' thrashed Hamilton Boys' High School 24-0 in the male finale. Rotorua Boys' was forced to defend for extended periods to foil Hamilton. Liam Wilson (twice) and Joshua Wilson were denied tries for Hamilton following last-ditch tackles by Rotorua defenders. Rotorua sealed the game in the second-half with two cracking tries from their own goalposts. Raw speed and perfectly timed passing saw Kalem Strickland and Manu Akauola cross the chalk. Earlier Tamaikoha Te Aute and Robert Mischewski had scored tries for Rotorua. In the girls final Kahlia Kiel (tournament MVP) scored twice in the first half while Te Aomihi Williams-Paul added a try and a majestic sideline conversion to consign Aorere to second. Aorere was a large and dynamic team and Mele Anitoni, Ana Mamea and Melvina Weilert stood out in their charge to the final. Rotorua Boys only conceded two tries in the whole tourney. Mischewski scored a brilliant hat-trick in the quarter final against Francis Douglas and Te Aute and tournament MVP Kahlil Adworth-Bidois sparkled with their speed and ingenuity. By contrast Hamilton battled for their silver medal. In pool play they were held to a 14-14 draw against King's College. In a gripping contest, Hamilton twice rallied from deficits to earn a share of the honours. Wilson scored an 85-meter try dashing blindside from a scrum. In the semi-finals Hamilton scrapped past De La Salle College 10-5. De La Salle incurred two yellow cards for ill-discipline and were largely the architects of their own demise. Earlier De La Salle looked formidable. Players to stand tall for De La Salle included Etuale Lui, Ioane Moananu and Fangupo Lavaka. Luka Den Hertog and Wilson were Hamilton's semi-final try scorers. King's was a mystery. They played some very fine rugby against Hamilton with Sean Robertson scoring a try from a volley kick and gather, but they were thrashed by a mostly underwhelming Mount Albert Grammar School side 44-19 to miss the quarter finals. In the bowl final Mitchell Irwin bagged a hat-trick in an easy win. Defending Champions Howick College appeared to be the initial pace-setters in the girls section. Their support play was particularly outstanding as they stormed into the semi-finals, only to come unstuck against Rotorua. In a highly entertaining affair a try to Tayla Stone was the difference. Stone bounced several times like a yoyo to muscle over the line. Howick's best included, Teuila Sotutu, Su Elyese Ulugia and Jayden Ngatuere. Aorere won through to the final with a brutal 10-0 win against Tauranga Girls. Melvina Weilert scored both tries. Joshua Maoate from Palmerston North Boys' High School had the honour of scoring the first try of the day. Only one red card was dished out for an accidental high tackle. There was no Wellington or South Island presence, but a few Super Rugby scouts and a pro Kabaddi coach about. This fine tournament will only get bigger. |
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