HSOB notch first season’s victory in tight clash

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

A well-disciplined High School Old Boys held off a hungry Pirates to notch their first win of the Poverty Bay premier club rugby season on Saturday.

Earthwork Solutions HSOB dug deep for a 20-14 victory.

HSOB coach Wayne Ensor said he was proud of his team who had struggled in the closing 20 minutes of their previous games..

“When you get into a tight game like that, you find a bit of desire to come out on top,” he said. “If we are honest with ourselves, we left a few points out there.

“We had a lot of the territory, we had a lot of ball but we failed to execute and get that finishing — but we are growing.”

HSOB tried to play their game but at times fell into the Pirates style and it got a little messy, he said.

“And that’s their style — anything loose and they’re pretty awesome in that area and they will make you pay.”

Kevin Hollis Glass Pirates coach Anthony Kiwara was also proud of his side’s efforts and their dedication to improving.

“Week in, week out they turn up to training,” Kiwara said. “It’s unfortunate we did not get the result but it was a massive effort out there.”

Playing to the final whistle was a focus.

“That was our work-ons this week and they executed that well,” Kiwara said.

“I give it to HSOB. They played well out there and exposed us. Big ups for the win and congratulations to them.”

HSOB struck first in the 22nd minute. From a strong scrum on the 22-metre line, No.8 Von Huata peeled off and sprinted in to score the first of his two tries..

First five Bryan Howard converted from the sideline.

Pirates replied from a lineout close to the tryline. In a move they used with success last weekend against Ngatapa, the ball was throw to the front of the lineout and back to hooker Moui Paongo, who caught the HSOB defence napping in the 26th minute.

Full back Mosese Bulicakau slotted the conversion to level it 7-all.

Soon after, Paongo was given a yellow card for a high tackle.

HSOB reclaimed the lead when Howard intercepted on the Pirates 22 and ran away to score in the 48th minute.

And they extended their lead when they sent the ball through the hands to find Huata lurking on the sideline and he dived over.

At 17-7 down, Pirates threw everything at the blue and whites and were rewarded when lock Netani Seruwaqa took a penalty tap on the HSOB 22m line and busted his way through the defence in a solo run to the tryline.

Bulicakau kicked the conversion to close the gap to three points.

In the closing minutes of the game, Pirates were penalised for back chat and Howard kicked the penalised to close out the game 20-14.

Most Valuable Player maximum points went to Pirates openside flanker Manase Tupe and HSOB lock Eben Boyder.

HSOB 20 (Von Huata 2, Bryan Howard tries; Howard con, pen).

Pirates 14 (Moui Paongo, Netani Seruwaqa tries; Mosese Bulicakau 2 con).