Hamilton Boys' High School are now all alone as New Zealand's most-successful school in 1st XV rugby.
Hamilton BHS defeated Nelson College 27-17 in the National 1st XV Championship final at Palmerston North's CET Arena on Sunday for a record sixth title, breaking a three-way tie with Kelston Boys' High School and Wesley College.
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Goal-kicking proved the difference in the final as both teams scored three tries. Hamilton fullback Jackson Botherway was successful with three conversions and two penalties late in the first half, while Nelson's Harry Inch converted just one of three.
Hamilton BHS claimed the Moascar Cup - 1st XV rugby's equivalent of the Ranfurly Shield - in the process and gave long-time coach Greg Kirkham a perfect farewell after 21 years at Peachgrove Road.
Centre Ollie Guerin opened the scoring for Hamilton before second-five Jimmy West and wing Mikey Morrison, from an 80m move, scored to give Nelson a 10-7 lead after 20 minutes.
Hamilton flanker Alex Arnold thrust his way over and Botherway slotted two penalties for a 20-10 halftime lead, which they extended to 17 points in the 50th minute with a try from first-five Dallas Rata-Makene.
Hamilton - known as 'The Factory' - recovered from an embarrassing 37-0 loss to Tauranga Boys' College in the Super 8 final in early-August, winning five straight knockout matches on the way to the title.
Hamilton, who have qualified for the Top Four tournament 14 times, have now won six of eight final appearances, also lifting the NZ Barbarians Trophy in 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014 and 2022.
In the semifinals, Hamilton needed two second-half penalties from Botherway to see off first-time Top Four participants Feilding High School 23-19.
HBHS raced out to a 17-0 lead after 17 minutes, with tries from wing Ross Anderson, prop Luke Hills and wing Maxwell Kara, only for Feilding to respond with two to make it 17-12 at the break.
When lock Zach Filer went over in the 41st minute and Nixon Foreman converted, Feilding had their first lead. But it was short-lived as Botherway booted HBHS ahead three minutes later, and clinched their place in the final with a last-minute penalty.
Nelson defended the Moascar Cup for the first time against Kelston Boys High in the second semifinal, with flanker Kobe Brownlee scoring two tries in a 26-18 victory. Halfback Oliver Gibbons and West scored the other tries for the South Island champions.
Feilding defeated Kelston BHS 35-32 in the playoff for third, with No 8 Rupeni Raviyawa scoring a second-half hat-trick, the last coming in the 66th minute, giving them the lead for the second time.
Kelston, the Auckland 1st XV 1A champions, had raced out to a 24-3 lead after 30 minutes, with tries for wing Jeremiah Lemana, hooker Xavier Leota, prop Solo Baleinaikasakasa and wing Ulutoa Ai'i
The Manukura School dynasty rolls on in girls 1st XV rugby.
The Palmerston North-based powerhouse successfully defended the Hine Pounamu Trophy in the Girl's National 1st XV Championship final on Sunday with a resounding 39-24 victory over first-time finalists Howick College.
Howick enjoyed a 19-17 advantage at the interval, but Manukura managed the whirlpool wind at Arena Manawatū better as they blunted the spirited east Aucklanders, scoring four tries and 22 points in the second half.
An exhilirating start saw six tries - three for each team - scored in a breathless first 20 minutes - prop Joy Fiu, first-five Sina Mariner and fullback Jaedah Hansen for Howick, and prop Danica Talitonu, Maia Davis and wing Te Maia Sweetman for Manukura.
Manukura seized the initiative after halftime with their hustle at the breakdown, shrewd tactical kicking, and tighter-knit attack. Elley-May Taylor propelled Manukura ahead, then Kingston Taiapa followed suit with similar grit as the lead mushroomed to 29-19.
Howick was dogged but deprived of possession. Their discipline wavered and when a deft touch by Taylor found Talitonu for her second and it became 34-19.
Ominously for Manukura’s rivals, their seventh and final try was scored by Year 9 Pewhairangi Ashby. It was created by Year 10 Taylor, who might have been the most influential figure in the match. Manukura had just three Year 13s in their matchday squad.
Hamilton Girls High School defeated Christchurch Girls High School 38-10 in the playoff for third, with Ata Jackson scoring two tries as they scored 33 unanswered points in the second half.
In the semifinals on Friday, Manukura defeated Hamilton GHS 38-17, while Howick outlasted Christchurch GHS 22-17.
NATIONAL 1ST XV CHAMPIONSHIPS
BOYS
Final Hamilton BHS 27 (Ollie Guerin, Alex Arnold, Dallas Rata-Makene tries; Jackson Botherway 3 con, 2 pen) Nelson College 17 (Mikey Morrison, Jimmy West, Samuela Takapu tries; Harry Inch con). HT: 20-10
3th/4th
Feilding HS 35 (Rupeni Raviyawa 3, Flinn Henricksen, Tyrese Tane, Peni Havea tries; Nixon Foreman con, pen) Kelston BHS 32 (Solo Baleinaikasakasa 2, Jeremiah Lemana, Xavier Leota, Ulutoa Ai’i tries; Tyson Parsons 2 con, Jarrel Tuaimalo-Vaega pen). HT: 10-24
Semifinals
Hamilton BHS 23 Feilding HS 19
Nelson College 26 Kelston BHS 18
GIRLS
Final
Manukura School 39 (Danica Talitonu 2, Maia Davis, Te Maia Sweetman, Elley-May Taylor, Kingston Taiapa, Pewhairangi Ashby tries; Maia Davis 2 con) Howick College 24 (Joy Fiu, Sina Mariner, Jaedah Hansen, Asha Taimoepeau-Williams tries; Taylah Seng 2 con). HT: 17-19
3rd/4th
Hamilton GHS 38 (Amber Mundel, Mahlia Crackett-Crosby, Mihi Kerr, Ata Edwards 2, Ashley Marra tries; Keira Russell 4 con) Christchurch GHS 10 (Yoshida Riko, Perez Lene tries). HT: 5-10
Semifinals
Manukura 38 Hamilton GHS 17
Howick College 22 Christchurch GHS 17
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