PALMY KEEP THE BANNER, BUT ONLY JUST

PNBHS 1st XV 2015

Napier BHS: 17 (Toby Holden try; Zarn Sullivan 4 pen) Palmerston North BHS: 17 (Matene Ruawai, James Stratton tries; Stewart Cruden 1 pen, 2 con)

For the first time since 1994 the Polson Banner has ended in a draw.

Palmerston North BHS keeps the prize as 2015 holders, but required a last-play try to centre James Stratton to do so. 

Down 17-3, Palmerston North scored their first try in the 59th 
minute after rare continuity and territory inside the Napier 22. Nine phases were strung together and blindside Matene Ruawai muscled over from close range.

Palmerston North kicked smartly and forced errors from the hosts. On fulltime Stratton wriggled over and Cruden nailed the conversion from about 20-meters out to confirm a share of the honours.

Palmerston North should never have been in a position to achieve such a result. Napier dominated much of the match and left several points on the field. At one stage Palmerston North was reduced to 13 players when No.8 Brayden Iose was yellow carded for a tip tackle and halfback Hunter Waller sin-binned for stomping.

Napier first-five Zarn Sullivan punished Palmerston North ill-discipline by kicking four penalties, three before halftime which made the score 9-0 at the break.

In the 48th minute Napier scored their only try when prop Cam Huata burst to within inches of the line from a set-move and recycled quickly for lock Toby Holden to pounce.

Napier had a catalogue of missed chances.

After 30 seconds lock Hunter Harding charged the ball down and knocked on while attempting to gather before the goal line.

In the 13th minute standout openside Will Tremain charged 60-meters and chipped dead.
In the 15th minute wing Al Momoisea was tackled into touch while reaching for the goal line.
In the 23rd minute Momoisea bombed a try when he dropped the ball while slipping through a yawning hole.

In the 36th minute Palmerston North hooker Te Ariki Te Puni dived on ball close to his line to prevent Napier fullback Humphrey Shield from dotting down.

Palmerston North's comeback was inspired by Iose who made several telling runs and Napier mistakes.
Napier ends Super 8 with three wins, an improved of two from 2015. Palmerston North were winless for the first time.

This was the first drawn match in Land Rover First XV rugby since the 2014 National Top Four final which was shared 26-all between Hamilton BHS and Scots College.

In the other codes Felix Foertsch scored three goals to guide Palmerston North to an 8-3 win in the First XI hockey.

Napier won the basketball 74-70, after trailing by a point at halftime.

The First XI football match was drawn 1-1. Thomas Viles scored for Palmerston North, but in the opposite of the rugby Napier rallied late.

Full list of results from the exchange below (PNBHS Home team):
Under 15 Colts Hockey - won 6 - 0
1st XI Hockey - won 8 - 3
Premier A basketball - lost 70 - 74
Junior Football - drew 2 - 2
2nd XI Football - won 3 - 1
1st XI Football - drew 1 - 1
Junior Debating - lost
Senior Debating - lost
Golf - lost 2 -6
Year 9 Rugby - won 38 - 24
Colts Rugby - lost 5 - 27
Development XV - lost 10 - 38
2nd XV Rugby - lost 5 - 55
1st XV Rugby - drew 17 - 17, PNBHS retain the Polson Banner

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