Opportunities for NPBHS 1st XV players

Will Johnston

Photo: LDV Photography

Young New Plymouth Boys’ High School 1^st XV players were exposed to topflight rugby on Saturday.

New Plymouth coach Ricky Tito decided to rest a number of key players and made 14 changes to his starting line-up to play Westlake Boys’ High School.

Despite losing 29-3 to the North Harbour 1^st XV leaders, Tito was testing his depth in the traditional match.

It was a fresh group of players in the team which didn’t feature a Year 13 student. Most of the players were either reserves or 2^nd XV players during the season.

The match was the team’s first game after a short school holiday break before the remaining Super 8 matches against Napier and Rotorua boys’ high schools.

New Plymouth got off to a good start after first-five eighth Tana Barrowcliffe slotted a penalty kick inside five minutes after he missed an earlier attempt.

That was the only points scored for New Plymouth after Westlake held onto much of the possession. It seemed like every time they ventured into New Plymouth’s half, points were scored.

The first Westlake try came from prop Tewera Wynyard and the conversion was slotted by talented first-five eight Zac Cochrane.

With a 10-3 advantage at the break, Westlake continued where they finished in the first half.

They scored three second half tries, one to Japanese halfback Taiga Kato, who snipped around the said of a scrum, and to replacement prop Titera Bura.

The highlight came from replacement halfback Olly Howarth who made a speedy break down field. He was tackled short of the line and eventually received a pass from a support player to score.

Cochrane slotted the three second half conversions.

Former Taranaki first-class and top five rugby referee Garry Murfitt’s grandson, Luke Buckley, played the second half at fullback for Westlake.