In earlier games there were some tight finishes despite rain during one match and the wet ground afterwards.
CAS II 38 — Country 10
I was sad to watch Country play in this tournament for the last time but with so many other school associations having access to regional players it is not a viable proposition now.
The Country boys looked outclassed in the first half but there wasn’t much between the sides after the break .
GPS Blue 31 — ISA II 24
This was a cracking game with ISA finishing with a wet sail but Blue had done too much earlier.
First half
ISA fullback Nohra slashed through the middle of the Blues before swerving to the left touchline to score.
After a good run and pass by 11 Eurini-Bennett, 7 Deer went over for Blue. Both tries were converted for a score of 7-7.
Late in the half 12 King set up 15 Ball with a nice pass and he scored for Blue near the left corner flag. The wide conversion missed and the half-time score was 12-7 to GPS Blue.
After the early ISA try GPS Blue were more on top in the half, but the effect of their good work had been blunted by some fine ISA breaks made by Nohra, 11 Robinson and and 12 Yeomans.
Second half
The defence was a bit shabby from both teams in the second half and six tries were scored.
Blue found the ISA defence wanting when 14. McBryde scored in the corner and not long after another raid had ISA not realigning and McBryde got a second pie when the ball beat defenders. 10. Sheldon converted one and it was 22-7 to Blue shortly after the break.
After some even play ISA had a scrum in the corner and 11. Robinson went over from a set play. They were coming back and with the Nohra conversion Blue was still ahead but by only 22-14.
Then Blue kicked out on the full from the restart ISA put on another scrum move. Nohra scored out wide but couldn’t convert, but ISA were closer now at 24-19.
Reserve back Wrench scored for Blue, upside-down in a tackle, and Robinson responded for ISA when he struggled over the goal line for his second try.
It was a close finish at 31-24 to GPS Blue but both coaches would have thought their team offered too many gaps to their opponents.
Scoring
GPS Blue 31 (T. McBryde 2, T. Deer, W. Ball, H. Wrench; A. Sheldon 3 cons) def ISA II 24 (J. Nohra 2, J. Robinson 2 tries; Nohra 2 cons)
See reports of other games on next pages
