Boys’ High beat Francis Douglas in annual rugby fixture

Will Johnston  

New Plymouth Boys’ High School’s (NPBHS) first XV dominance against Francis Douglas Memorial College (FDMC) continued this afternoon.  

NPBHS beat their cross-town rivals 29-19 in gusty conditions at the College to retain the Max Carroll-John George Trophy for the eighth consecutive year.  

Not only do NPBHS claim bragging rights, but also march into the 1st XV knock-out stages given the match doubled as a regional final.  

With plenty of movement in the match, NPBHS scored five tries to three played in front of a vocal crowd at FDMC. 

The visitors got out to a healthy 10-0 lead at halftime with two first-half tries.  

The first was scored by wing Zak Stewart-Cranson. The Year 13 could have scored another one but knocked the ball on.  

Samuela Vakadula dotted down after an excellent move from first-five eighth Callum Tito after he held the ball and found a gap in the line. He then offloaded to Vakadula who ran through untouched. 

Tito’s conversion attempts were difficult into the strong wind.  

With a good lead, NPBHS scored two tries immediately after the break.  

The first was set up by Vakadula who pierced the line and offloaded to fullback Liam Day.  

Captain Jacob Mitchell pounced on a loose ball after a terrible clearance kick and scampered 20 meters to score.  

With the wind at his back this time, Tito slotted the two conversions to give NPBHS a healthy 24-0 lead inside 40 minutes.  

FDMC made it on the board fortuitously after Maka Normanton intercepted a loopy pass and ran 40 meters to score under the posts. The conversion was an easy one for Jax Morgan.  

NPBHS midfielder Jayden Anaha’s try extended out the lead to 29-7 late in the second half. 

But FDMC through some excellent penetration and long-range runs, made it back inside NPBHS 22

They scored back-to-back tries to narrow the margin through wing Logan Smith and Connor McLean from close fringe play. Jax Morgan was only able to slot one conversion.  

NPBHS lost a player to the sin bin late in the game as referee Cam Hurley lost his patience with the team who were hard on defence.  

But it was too little too late for FDMC, who played well into the wind.  

It was a successful day for NPBHS in the annual sports exchange. They won the 1^st XI football 8-0, 1^st V basketball 99-71, 1^st XI hockey 11-0 and 2^nd XV rugby 31-0 but FDMC won the squash 5-0. 

NPBHS 29 (Z. Stewart-Cranson, S. Vakadula, L. Day, J. Anaha tries; C. Tito 2 con) beat FDMC 19 (Z. Normanton, L. Smith, C. McLean tries; J. Morgan 2 con).

HT: 10-0