Scots College and Hamilton Boys? HS share National title in a thriller

Above: Scots College supporters were dancing in the stands last month when they beat St Pat's Silverstream in the Wellington final. Today they were dancing in their living rooms as their side shared the National title with defending champions Hamilton Boys' High School.

In the most exciting schoolboy rugby final you will ever see, Scots College and Hamilton Boys' High school drew 26-26 in sunny Rotorua today to share the New Zealand Barbarians Cup.

After absorbing all the early pressure from the Hamilton's forward pack close to their own tryline in the opening 20 minutes, it was Scots College that made a flying start.

After a break out from their 22, the mercurial TJ Va'a spied a hole. He cleverly put a grubber kick into space and pacy winger Connor Garden-Bachop swooped onto the ball, scoring the first try of the afternoon.

With 15 minutes gone in the first half, bustling second five Thomas Umaga-Jensen was already getting into his work, being physical and dynamic as he crashed past defenders with ease.

His third break of the match found Malo Tuitama and there would be no catching him as he dotted down. Va'a added the conversion and Scots led 12-0.

Thomas's twin Peter would get on the scoresheet when he scorched down the right hand side of the touchline, leaving the Hamilton Boys' High defence clutching at straws.

Scots were looking very good when running the ball from deep inside their own half and Hamilton Boys' High seemed to have no answers. Notably, dynamic flanker Jahrome Brown was taken in a copybook tackle by Jarimar Shuster which signalled the intent in the Scots defence.

But towards the end of first half, Hamilton Boys' High would finally cross the line.

After a lineout was won off a penalty, centre Elijah Ale would ghost past the Scots defence 5 metres out to score. The conversion would be kicked by Matty Lansdown but the Chiefs champions still had to climb a big mountain after half time.

Pressure began to turn into points in the second half for Hamilton Boys' High as they formed a lineout drive deep inside the Scots 22. The Scots College forward pack led by hard working loosies Ellery Waterson, Michael Findlay and Patrick Fenika tried in vain to hold up Hamilton Boys' High hooker Solomone Tukuafu, but were unsuccessful as he crashed over.

When the conversion was stabbed through, it was only a 5 point ball game.

Just when it looked like there was a big momentum shift in the contest, Connor Garden-Bachop knocked a pass down against the run of play. There was no call from the referee, so Garden-Bachop darted in for his second try of the afternoon.

But Hamilton Boys' High refused to lie down. Solomone Tukuafu would score again from a lineout drive and with Lansdown kicking another conversion; Hamilton Boys' High would need a converted try to win.

Dynamic flanker Jahrome Brown put paid to being sat on his bum when he scored the crucial try that would tie the game with 5 minutes to go.

The conversion was missed by Lansdown and the title was shared by these two magnificent rugby schools.

However despite a shared title, Scots College will retain the Moascar Cup and compete at the Sanix World Youth rugby tournament in 2015, representing New Zealand.

A draw was a fair result in a game of two halves. Thomas Umaga-Jensen however, gained plenty of metres which put his side on the front foot with ball in hand.

Captain TJ Va'a was pleased to share the title.

"The seasons been unreal, and I'm proud of the boys with what we achieved this year".

Va'a would also win a suit from Working Style in a competition for top schoolboy rugby player in the top 4. He fended off Jahrome Brown, Rieko Ioane of Auckland Grammar and Alex Nankivel of Christchurch Boys High.

Hamilton Boys' High coach Nigel Hotham was extremely proud of his troops for fighting back from the dead.

"A lot of teams would have given up at 19-0 down against a team like that, but I'm so proud of the boys for coming back at them like they did".

Scots College 26 Connor Garden-Bachop 2, Malo Tuitama, Peter Umaga-Jensen trys, TJ Va'a 3 cons drew with Hamilton Boys' High School 26 Solomone Tukuafu 2, Jahrome Brown, Elijah Ale trys, Matty Lansdown 3 cons.

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