Rugby: Brave Boys' grind out crucial Hastings win

Rotorua Boys' High School 1st XV have beaten Hasting Boys' High School 19-16 in a hard-fought battle between the two Super 8 schools.

In the match in Hastings on the weekend, Rotorua Boys' went behind 0-6 early on after conceding a couple of infringement penalties.

However, they replied with a try to Kereama Pekepo after some timely forward pressure.

Late in the first half Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi dotted down in the corner for Rotorua Boys' to finish the opening spell ahead 14-6. Both tries were converted by Ryubyn Vaipo.

The second half began with another try to Tahuriorangi, to put the visitors up 19-6.

Hastings Boys' then got into their game with an aggressive forward attack to score two unanswered tries but Rotorua Boys' held on for a 19-16 victory. Prop Liam Hae Hae was a standout for the visitors with an excellent performance on scrum attack and in general defence.

In under-15 action, Trident High School defeated Whakatane High School 53-10 on Saturday.