google539b0260007444c5.html .: July 2009 google539b0260007444c5.html

Saturday, July 25, 2009

HPC vs Birkenhead College 1st XV, July 25th, 2009






Today was a make or break game for the 1st with both teams tied equal on the table and a win would push us nearer to a finals spot with 3 games remaining. We knew that as a team we had to win and gain some respect back after our disappointing loss to Kristen earlier on in the week.
The game was at home in front of a big crowd and both teams were eager to show some form and good rugby in front of their loyal followers and supporters.
The game started off slow for HP with Birkenhead giving it to us in the forwards with some strong runs from their number 8, trying to break the advantage line. HP tackled fiercely but were penalised in our own 22 for an offside offense. Birkenhead quickly converted the penalty bringing the score to a 3-nil lead to the visitors. Firm instructions were given and could be heard as if it was a trumpet sounding from both Coaches. We quickly gathered our forwards and proceeded to drive forward with some great pick and go work from our loosies Joshua Frazer and Paulie Ranapia. They were supported well with some quick burst runs off the ruck form our dynamic half-back Quinten Heka. Always probing and threatening the defence catching our visitors napping with some storming runs. Our big and strong Tighthead Prop Vernon Isaacs-Brunning gathered the ball and stormed ahead towards the try line taking four defenders with him to score the first of his 2 tries. Nick Poutama converted. Vernon followed this up in the same fashion busting through the Birkenhead defence to bring his try tally up for the year to 11 tries. However what shortly followed was to be the try of the year. Again our forwards dominated the break down and fed our backs good ball with quick hands across the field. A planned move from 40 metres out saw all of the Hato backs touch the ball, drawing and precise passing and good line running finding the hands of our winger Alister Morris. The crowd went crazy and even the Birkenhead supporters applauded this great effort. The half-time score was 17-3 to HP.
The 2nd half started slow for us with some ill discipline and macho issues starting to creep in to our plays and we paid the price. Birkenhead scored 2 quick soft tries in a matter of 10 minutes due to some poor errors and mistakes. However the boys managed to move on and pull their heads in and again our backs fired with a strong break and run from centre Tukairangi Maxwell which saw Alister Morris score in the corner. We then managed to gain some momentum which saw a break from Ardi Mahu who fed inside to Joshuna Frazer to score. Nick Poutama converted. Birkenhead never gave up and managed to claw their way back in with a try on the final whistle bringing the final score to 31-20 to HP. A disappointing way to finish the game however the boys showed true character and we will gladly take the 5 points away with us.
We must thank all our boys from Kura for their support with the barracks and chants on the side-line! Way to go boys hearty win and well deserved one i must say!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

HPC vs Kristen College 1st XV, July 21st, 2009





This was to be a mid-week catch up game due to the school's boarding commitments. To the say the least, it was a game of utter frustration, countless mistakes and poor decision making by a team that we feel is far better than it's opposition. However today everything that could go wrong went wrong, it was one of those days and unfortunately it wasn't our day.
The game started with us being penalised by the referee numerous times and to be fair i thought some calls were one-sided and felt the team were hard done by however we must adapt and play the game. Kristen managed to score a try early on and a penalty kick shortly followed bringing the score to 10-nil at the break.
The second half started like the first and the boys were starting to become frustrated with some of the referee's decisions and it impacted on the team's aura and the way in which they played on the field. However we managed to counter-attack with some good pick and go work from the forwards with some good lead up work from Hati Mahanga and Ardi Mahu. We spent a bit of time in Kristen's 22 and a short break to the blind our forwards managed to drive Hemi Hill over the try line but to be called held up by the ref. Throughout the game we had many opportunities to score points but we either lost possession, the ball got turned over or we chose to run it when we should have either kicked for possession or kicked for a penalty conversion. The Kristen 1st Five made us pay putting the ball behind us all day and in the end our forwards tired and our poor fitness showed. In the end Kristen ran away with it 16-0 and well deserved win to them I must say. For our boys it is a game we would like to forget but one that we have learnt from. This weekend sees us up against Birkenhead College at home and a big game it should be with semi-final spots up for grabs. We only have four more games left we must win them all if we are to have any chance of making the playoffs this year.

Monday, July 13, 2009

HPC vs Whangaparaoa College 1st XV, June 27th, 2009.

This was to be our last game of the term and we had a lot to prove after our narrow loss to Glenfield last week. This weekend we were without our workaholic blindside flanker Paulie Ranapia which saw Te Ahikaaroa Maxwell switch from lock to loosie. Due to some injuries amongst the team we had to make some serious changes switching some forwards and backs around trying new combinations. And boy did they hit us by surprise.
The game was played at home in front of a huge HP crowd and this definitely amped the boys to a 'SPARTAN' like attitude. The first 40 minutes saw HP going in to the break 19-nil up. With a rev up from Co-Coach Byron Davis, Hato Petera put Whangaparaoa to the sword by posting a final score of 60-0, including 10 tries. Prop Vernon Isaacs-Brunning completed a dominating display by scoring 4 tries, and Quinten Heka, Alister Morris, Arapeta Bedggood, Tukairangi Maxwell, and John Ngatai all scoring a try each. Nick Poutama kicking 5 conversions for Hato Petera. The win gives us a maximum of 5 points claiming a bonus point which will prove vital coming in to the finals. Well done boys!!! Enjoy your holidays and see yous all at training next Monday!!!

HPC vs Glenfield College 1st XV, June 20th, 2009.

This was to be our first game of the 2nd Round and was expected to be a hard fought tussle and it definitely lived up to the expectation. It saw us up against 2nd placed Glenfield at Glenfield College. From the kick off the game was so intense with big hits from both sides which echoed from both side lines. Early on we were able to dominate up front in the forwards which allowed us to gain some momentum and possession of the ball. However due to some poor defence in the backs the Glenfield centre was able to break the line and feed his outside backs putting Glenfield up in front. Then quickly from the re-start we managed to tighten up in the rucks and we quickly replied to some great lead up work from hooker Ardi Mahu.
The game then developed into a sea-saw struggle with Glenfield scoring and then Hato Petera replying immediately, Glenfield leading 22-17 at the break.
After an encouraging rev up from both coaches about organising the defence especially in the backs where Glenfield constantly penetrated we were able to slowly gain some composure 60 minutes in to the second half, which saw tries to our half-back Quinten Heka and hooker Ardi Mahu. Unfortunately as the game progressed Glenfield dominated and in the end ran away with it 36-27. Although the result was quite disappointing we can take the positive aspects of it away with us. Defence and communication was the key and we will need to brush up on these if we are to make the finals this year.