Opening day losses for Gisborne at Super 8

Gisborne Boys’ High’s Oska Smith brings the ball under control under pressure from Palmerston North BHS player Aiden Foster on the opening day of the Super 8 secondary schoolboys football tournament in Gisborne. The visitors win 7-0. Picture by Liam Clayton

Gisborne Boys’ High School had a tough opening day in the Super 8 football tournament being held at the Rectory field this week.

They lost 3-0 to Hamilton BHS in the morning and 7-0 to Palmerston North BHS in the afternoon.

Gisborne did well against the traditionally strong Hamilton side, who scored their second goal in first-half stoppage time and their third late in the game following a penalty.

Goalkeeper Hugo Lodewyk saved the spot-kick but a Hamilton player banged in the rebound.

Standout players for Gisborne were leftback Kaden Manderson, centreback Cory Thomson, attacking midfielder Matt Hills, striker Jacob Adams and winger Oska Smith.

Manager and assistant coach Darren Larkins said Gisborne were still in the game against Palmerston North until the last quarter.

“We were 2-0 down at halftime and still doing well . . . if we’d pulled one back we’d have been right in it,” he said.

“Palmerston North are a nice, clean footballing side, well drilled, with good movement off the ball, good passing and a clinical approach in the final third.

“After we went 3-0 down, we made some unforced errors and conceded four goals in the last 15 minutes. The final score probably flattered Palmerston North, but they fully deserved to win . . . they’re an excellent footballing team.”

Standout Gisborne players in this game were Thomson in a holding midfield role, Hills and leftback Kyran Lasenby.

Lodewyk had to go off late in the game with an ankle injury and was replaced by striker Sam Briant. With all their substitutes already on the field, Gisborne had to play the last few minutes a player short.

Larkins said he hoped Lodewyk would be fit to play against Rotorua on Tuesday morning. The first of the playoff games would be held in the afternoon.

Gisborne had already been hit by injuries when Lodewyk got hurt. Attacking midfielder Alex Shanks pulled out with injury before the first game, and Anton Larkins aggravated a groin injury against Hamilton and has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament.

Super 8 football results for Monday —  Morning: Hamilton Boys’ High School 3 Gisborne BHS 0, halftime 2-0; Tauranga Boys’ College 11 Hastings BHS 0, ht 5-0; New Plymouth BHS 3 Napier BHS 1, ht 1-1; Palmerston North BHS 0 Rotorua 0.

Afternoon: Palmerston North BHS 7 GBHS 0, ht 2-0; Tauranga BC 1 Napier BHS 1, ht 1-0 (Napier); Hamilton BHS 3 Rotorua BHS 0, ht 2-0; New Plymouth BHS 5 Hastings BHS 0, ht 2-0.

The Central Federation League match between ALH Gisborne Thistle and Palmerston North United was postponed on Saturday, as were the men’s Eastern League 1 and 2 games.

Women’s Eastern League matches were played, on Sunday. Bohemians and Gisborne Girls’ High School drew 2-2, and Gisborne Laundry Services Wainui Riverina beat Tatapouri Marist Thistle 12-0.