Rugby: Skipper hurting after Polson Banner loss

Palmy defenders upend Napier Boys' High School substitute back James Lawson. Photo / Paul Taylor

Napier Boys' High School 1st XV rugby side's captain Caleb Makene refused to blame the travel factor for yesterday's Polson Banner loss.

The 111th edition of one of the country's oldest traditional inter-school rugby matches was played in Napier four days after Makene's team returned from a 12-all draw with New Plymouth Boys' High School in New Plymouth.

"It's always hard playing two games in a week. But Palmy were in the same position ... they travelled to Rotorua on the weekend and then home before coming over here. Today's game was always going to be a case of how much you wanted it ... we lost a couple of our main men with injuries and made too many mistakes," Makene said after his side's 27-11 loss.

The defeat ruined first five-eighth Makene's hopes of a three-peat of Polson Banner victories after he played in the 2012 and '13 triumphs. The fact it was a televised match played in front of 1,100 supporters on home turf added to the pain.

"Winning the Polson Banner is something you talk about and dream about since your Year 9 days. It didn't happen today and that's rugby."

It wasn't through a lack of trying on his behalf. Hurricanes' under-18 rep Makene scored all of the hosts' points with a try and two penalties and made the most of his limited attacking opportunities.

His team lacked the necessary composure under pressure, were too fragile on defence and struggled to retain possession for more than three phases at a time. Promising centre Bailyn Sullivan had some memorable moments before being forced off with an injury and blindside flanker George McPherson was again the best of the hosts' forwards with a huge defensive workrate.

New Zealand touch representative Jackson Ferris, at fullback, his brother and second five-eighth Taare Ferris and halfback Lee Thomson were a classy trio in the Palmy backline. Captain and No8 Hayden Spencer, blindside flanker Liam Giltrap and prop Josh Greer were prominent in a cohesive and well drilled visiting pack.

Openside flanker James Kellow's 59th minute bonus point try kept Palmy's hopes of a Super 8 final berth alive.

On Monday Hastings Boys' High School's 1st XV beat Tauranga Boys' College 39-23 in Tauranga after leading 17-16 at halftime. Hastings co-coach Tony McBride was proud of the manner in which his troops played two days after returning to New Zealand after 26 hours of flying from South Africa, where they played three games during the school holidays.

Halfback Ash Robinson scored three of Hastings' tries and kicked two conversions. Fullback Thomas Agnew, prop Asher Mitchell and No8 Harlan Solomon scored the other tries.

Result: Palmerston North Boys' High School 27 (Taare Ferris, Ben Werthmuller, Josh Greer, James Kellow tries; Taylor Transom 2 cons, pen), Napier Boys' High School 11 (Caleb Makene try; Makene 2 pens).
Halftime: 20-3.