Fourteen-man U-18s outlast High School

The clash between Kamo High School 1st XV and Kamo Under-18 was anticipated to be a tough battle, and the game lived up to expectations when the two sides met at Kamo Rec.
The Under-18 side won 24-17 over the school, despite playing with 14 men after Dylan Wihongi was sent off in the first spell for a dangerous tackle.
"It was a really physical encounter between two willing and highly competitive teams," Kamo High coach Daryl Davies said.
With recent results in the Northland Wide Division 1 Under-18 competition swinging in favour of the respective sides, the top of the table clash attracted plenty of attention, especially with several Blues under-18 trialists under the spotlight. Flyhalf Tyler Lansdowne, centre Turanga Shelford, fullback Harley Keefe, loosehead prop Beau Tipene and loosies Aorangi Stokes and Wiremu Te Iringa were in action for Kamo
High.   Wihongi lined up for Kamo Under-18s, and they will all take part in the first Blues Under-18 trial today  at North Harbour, all vying for selection into the side to contest the New Zealand Secondary Schools Regional Tournament next month.

Emotions were charged during Saturday's match, and Kamo's Wihongi was sent off midway through the first 40. 
 After a strong start, Kamo 1st XV were leading 17-12  at half time.
In the second half however, despite playing with only 14, the under-18s dug deep to claw their way back into the game, and take control.
"They used the wind in the second half and placed some tactical kicks . . . they applied the pressure and pinned us down with their defence for long periods of the game and came away with the win," Davies said.
While Kamo High rallied hard for a converted try to equalise in the last five minutes, the under-18s "stoic" defence kept the schoolboys at bay.