​Happy Hamilton In Seventh Heaven

In a repeat of 2015, Hamilton Boys’ High School and Hamilton Girls’ High School have won the
YouthTown Condor 7s titles.

Hamilton Girls’ beat Christchurch Girls’ High School 20-5 in the female decider. Jazmin
Hotham opened the scoring following a break down the left side. Lonita Ngalu stormed in for the
second, beating two players and dragging two more over the line.

The game threatened to turn Christchurch’s way when Martha Lolohea busted and was caught in
a high tackle resulting in a yellow card for Hamilton. Grace Brooker scored a try to close the gap
to 10-5, but when Ngalu busted again and Lena Mitchell, sporting a huge black eye, scored a try
to make it 15-5, Christchurch was consigned to defeat. Hotham iced the triumph with an 80-
meter runaway.

Hamilton Boys’ joined Kelston Boys’ High School as the only college to win three championships in a row defeating Scots College 21-10. Hamilton burst to a 14-0 lead on the back of soft Scots defence. Caleb Muntz pushed through for the first try and Quinn Tupaea set up Tevita Fa’ukafa by barging past two would-be tacklers.

Scots were resurgent just before and shortly after the interval. An Eparama Sailo try reduced the
deficit to 14-5 and then Hamilton lost two players to the sin bin. However with 90 seconds
remaining Hamilton won a turnover and Tupaea showed his class by striding away for a critical
try. Scots captain Jayden Tuapola made the final score 21-10.

Hamilton thrashed Napier Boys’ High School, 41-5 in their semi-final. Liam Wilson scored two
of Hamilton’s seven tries in the rout. By contrast Scots required a last play try to Jack Gray to
foil Tauranga Boys’ College. Down 19-5 shortly after halftime, Cole Forbes and Leroy Carter
scored converted tries to draw Tauranga level before Gray grabbed his second and the winning
try, tapping quickly and catching Tauranga out of position.

Christchurch Girls’ eliminated defending champions St Mary’s College 17-0 in the semi-finals.
Stubborn defense and a wealth of first half possession were the key ingredients in Christchurch’s
success. Grace Brooker, Rosie Kelly and Nia Toaolamai-Holden scored tries for the southerners.
Hamilton Girls’ rallied from a 10-7 halftime deficit to foil Motueka High School 24-10. A near
length of the field try to Motukea captain Risaleaana Pouri-Lane pushed Motukea ahead at the
break. However the combination of Montessa Tairakena and Jazmin Hotham caught fire for
Hamilton each scoring tries in a hard earned victory.

Hamilton Boys’ suggested they were in ominous form from the outset overwhelming Kelston
Boys’ High School 35-0 in the quarterfinals. Emoni Narawa celebrated two tries. Scots showed
composure to hold off a fast finishing Timaru 22-17. Jack Gray netted two tries in this fixture.
The most noteworthy thing to happen in the girls quarter final was St Mary’s College losing their
best player Dhys Faleafaga to injury. Dhys had scored two tries in the narrow 17-10 victory
against Howick College.

Day one provided plenty of surprises with leading contenders Southland Girls’ High School,
Rotorua Boys’ High School, Feilding High School and Hastings Boys’ High School all crashing
out in pool play.

In a repeat of 2016, Tauranga Boys’ College eliminated National Top Four champions Hastings
with a 24-5 win in Pool C. Tauranga’s hustle at the breakdown frustrated Hastings who lost a
player for ill-discipline and never found their groove.Leroy Carter (2), Connor McLeod and Cole
Forbes scored tries for Tauranga.

Timaru ousted 2016 runners up Feilding High School, 28-14. Tevita Eukaliti scored two tries to
keep Timaru level at halftime. Ryan Greenslade burst 75-meters to give Timaru the lead and then
captain Cullen Grace bullied his way through three defenders to seal victory.

Rotorua Boys’ High School looked to be in control of their Pool D fixture against Napier Boys’
High School when leading 12-0 at halftime. However a careless yellow card early in the second
spell saw Rotorua surrender the lead with less than 90 seconds remaining. Restored to a full
complement, Byron Kennedy outflanked the defence to secure a 17-14 victory. However Rotorua
later stumbled against Francis Douglas Memorial College who Napier beat along with
Cambridge High School to earn a place in the Cup quarter finals.

New Plymouth Girls’ High School scored four unanswered tries in the second-half to stun
Southland Girls High School 38-12. A second try to Paige Neilson shortly after the break rocked
Southland and they never recovered. Paige’s sister Brooke also flourished scoring New
Plymouth’s first try with a 60-metre dash.

Hamilton Girls’ were rampant in their two Sky games scoring a 68-0 victory over Otahuhu
College and dishing out a 48-0 hiding of Bay of Islands College. Montessa Tairakena scored five
tries across the two games and 2016 MVP Jazmin Hotham bagged two tries in the latter
whitewash.
​
For full results and tournament teams click here: https://www.facebook.com/condorsevens