St Peter’s complete four-team sweep

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

Gisborne Boys’ High School first 15 put up a good fight before succumbing 31-5 to St Peter’s College of Epsom in an away game last Friday.

A week out from their last first 15 home game of the season against Hamilton Boys’ High School, Gisborne took on a powerful St Peter’s team, who have lost only one game this season and are sitting third in Auckland’s 1A secondary school competition.

Gisborne’s last run was an away clash with Hastings Boys’ High School Akina on June 17 — a 26-19  loss in Round 5 of the Super 8.

On their way to retaining the Boris Srhoj Cup, St Peter’s led Gisborne 19-0 at the break on their home ground known as “The Cage”.

Left wing Timuaki Stewart scored a try to put the visitors on the board in the second half.

St Peter’s completed a four-team sweep in the traditional fixture. St Peter’s won the second 15 match 42-7, the under-15s 40-17 and the u14s 20-5.

“We started with the wind behind us in good conditions, though we did get a few showers throughout the game,” Gisborne first 15 head coach Duane Hihi said.

“With it being the term 3 holidays, it was harder for us to prepare. Some of our boys were away at Hurricanes and New Zealand Māori camps and all of the fields in Gisborne were closed.

“We had only two trainings at the school gym in the lead-up. We stayed in the fight and started extremely well against St Peter’s, dominating possession and field position for the first 20 minutes.

“Our No.8 Luke Bidois and co-captain second-five Puna Hihi carried the ball strongly. Luke, in particular, hit them hard in defence.

“It was a physical game — St Peter’s had some big boys — and we matched them in that,  but we just couldn’t score.

“It’s vital that we finish when we get the opportunity against Hamilton BHS here tomorrow.”

St Peter’s College first 15 31 Gisborne Boys’ High School 5 (Timuaki Stewart try).  HT: 19-0.

St Peter’s 2nd 15  42 Gisborne 7 (Jaiah Kora try; David Gray con).

St Peter’s under-15s 40 Gisborne 17 (Josh Aukuso, Malakai Tea tries, penalty try; Quinn Pirihi-Coutts con). HT: 12-5 St Peter’s.

St Peter’s under-14s 20 Gisborne 5 (Leasi Tupou try). HT: 15-0.

Gisborne’s most valuable players: Jimmy Moore, Luke Bidois (first 15); Cody Tarei, Bekko Page (2nd 15); Pateilisio Tavake (u15s); Ollie MacIntosh (u14s).