“I was proud of our boys’ efforts. We can compete with any team,” said Gisborne co-captain Ingram, the home side’s Most Valuable Player on the day.
“Defence was a big part of our game. Our focus was to put pressure on Hamilton.”
The Liam Sturm-led Hamilton opened the scoring with an 18-metre penalty goal from first-five Wyndham Patuawa in the 11th minute.
The home side struck back from the restart, despite the ball having been turned over.
A charging Hamilton No.8 Ingo Kotuku was just over halfway when he threw a pass which Gisborne right-wing Kahurangi Leach-Waihi intercepted, made a great run and sent the ball infield for centre Kaiaio Kerekere-Tangira to finish.
First-five Kauri Christie converted the breakout try for a 7-3 lead.
Hamilton responded in the 16th minute. From a scrum 32m out from the Gisborne line, halfback Mac Russ sent the ball right and hard-running Hiraka Waitai-Waenga — the visitors’ MVP — beat two would-be tacklers, then found centre partner Ollie Guerin, who went over to put the visitors 8-7 in front.
Gisborne were reduced to 14 when Moore was yellow-carded by Poverty Bay referee Ben Holt in the 23rd minute.
Co-captain and second-five Puna Hihi made the tackle of the match in the 25th — driving the fearsome Kotuku back five metres after he had received the ball on the charge from a lineout 22m out.
Loosehead prop Rarahui Palmer, who scored twice against Gisborne last year, extended Hamilton’s one-point lead with a try after five phases of play three minutes into the second half.
Patuawa’s conversion made the score 15-7 and he landed a penalty kick from in front in the 46th minute for 18-7.
That such a side as Hamilton should opt to take the shot from an attacking position was an acknowledgement of Gisborne’s spirit and defensive stubbornness.
In the 60th minute, Hamilton reserve lock Alex Arnold was sinbinned for a breakdown infringement.
In the 65th, Gisborne won their only scrum penalty of the day in Hamilton’s “red zone.”
On both those occasions, Gisborne were on attack, having fought gut-bustingly hard to get into the opposition 22, but were unable to convert these to points.
Hamilton delivered the knockout blow in the 72nd minute when, after receiving a couple of penalties while attacking the Gisborne line, Patuawa popped a pinpoint kick over the top of the defensive line from eight metres out for tall left-winger Dupre Marshall to catch and score in the corner.
Patuawa converted brilliantly from the sideline for 25-7.
The Duane Hihi-coached GBHS outfit turned in their best defensive effort of this Super 8 campaign.
Lock Christian MacEwan and blindside flanker Sturm had top games in the lineout for Hamilton, as did second-rower Kemp and tough No.8 Luke Bidois for Gisborne.
The teams were evenly matched in this facet of play but the Hamiltonians dominated scrums.
While Hihi in his 40th game, Ingram (30th) and lock Whaitiri (32nd) hit and hurt their bulky opponents at the advantage line, the contest was multi-faceted.
The skill with the boot of Patuawa and Christie in probing for space was a feature, as was the quickness of the locals’ hands and feet.
HBHS head coach Nigel Hotham, under whose guidance they have won all 24 of their 15-a-side championships in the last 20 years, said: “I was really impressed with the passion and the commitment that Gisborne played with. They’re a credit to their school and community.
“It was a pleasure to take the Moascar Cup on the road to reflect the support we have for our Super 8 brothers and a community that’s endured some very challenging times lately.”
