Semi-final could be at Gully

 

Will Johnston

New Plymouth Boys’ High School first XV is on track to host a semi-final in the Super Eight competition after a 34-17 win over Rotorua Boys’ High School.

 Three late tries ensured the bonus point win to lift it to third behind Hamilton and Napier. It still has a fight on its hands with matches against Napier and Gisborne to come. The top four will be a fight between those three teams, Rotorua and Palmerston North.    

 After being 13-17 down just after halftime, New Plymouth crossed three times in the last 10 minutes at the Gully ground ay New Plymouth.

 Prop Meli Sifa, replacement loose forward Shocaine Enoka and first-five eighth Jack Parker (pictured with the ball) all dotted down to complete a solid performance by the home side.

 In the opening minutes, New Plymouth had most of the territory and possession. Parker slotted two early penalties before Rotorua halfback Bless Perese-Elliot spotted a gap in the defence and scored after a scrum. First-five eight Xavier Mitchell-Windsor slotted the extras.

 The 7-6 lead was short-lived after midfielder Levi Rewiti scored for New Plymouth after a period of open play as Parker was able to convert before the break.

 But it was the final quarter of the second half that proved to be the difference for New Plymouth.

 Close to the line, Sifa was given the ball and powered over the defence to grab the first of the three second-half tries.

 Shortly after, in another attacking position, Enoka dotted down but the try of the match came when flying wing Samuela Vakadula caught a cross-field kick and threw an inside pass to the awaiting Parker to score.

 Parker was able to slot all three back-to-back conversions, including the final one from the touchline racking up 19 points in the match.

 Rotorua had started the second half with energy and momentum, but kicked too much ball away and made too many errors. Prop Haruto Takahashi scored a try, Mitchell-Windsor kicked the conversion and a penalty, but Rotorua couldn’t contain the NPBHS final flourish that decided the game.

 At a glance:

 New Plymouth Boys’ High School 34 (L. Rewiti, M. Sifa, S. Enoka, J. Parker tries; Parker 2 pen, 4 con)

Rotorua Boys’ High School 17 (B. Perese-Elliot, H. Takahashi tries; X Mitchell-Windsor 2 con, pen)

HT: 13-7  

 

Photo: Andy McArthur