New Plymouth BHS edge Silverstream

 

New Plymouth BHS has retained the McDonald Shield after a hard fought victory over St. Pats Silverstream in inclement Wellington weather today. The capital has been besieged by heavy rain and hailstorms in the last 24 hours and despite the grim conditions both schools contributed to a fair spectacle.

 

New Plymouth started the strongest, preserving the ball for several phases as Silverstream hardly contested the rucks.

 

Hooker Bradley Slater scored the first try from a lineout drive and New Plymouth dropped the ball three times five-metres shy of the Silverstream line.

 

Silverstream eventually broke New Plymouth's stranglehold on possession and leveled the scores midway through the first-half. A quick tap by halfback Callum Harkin saw him scamper into the New Plymouth 22. From another penalty Silverstream spread the ball to the right side and a grubber kick by fullback Connor McGeough was rundown by winger Lucas Dutton.

 

Two key moments occurred before the break. Harkin missed a sitter of a penalty and then New Plymouth blindside Tom Florence broke 70-metres from a defensive scrum, five-metres out. A few rucks later openside Luke Fowler scored a try and it was 10-5 at halftime.

 

New Plymouth fullback Luke Brown scored the opening points of the second-spell when he kicked a penalty. New Plymouth mistakes piled up and Silverstream rallied in the face of a storm when centre Albert Polu crashed over in the corner to make it 13-10.

 

New Plymouth enjoyed a superior lineout. They frequently spoiled Silverstream's ball and were able to make significant ground from driving mauls. A third try to No.8 Kaylum Boshier was created by a maul and the score became 18-10.

 

Silverstream who suffered their third largest defeat in school history to Hastings BHS on Saturday refused to submit meekly in this tussle. Polu was a powerful presence in the midfield and an offload to the pint-sized Dutton saw the winger ferret in for his second try.

 

Silverstream pressed hard for the winning score in the last few minutes, but New Plymouth was resolute. They were even forced to touchdown in goal after there was a mad scramble for the ball following a kick through by a Silverstream defender.

 

The home crowd temporarily invaded the field in anticipation of a glorious ending, it wasn't to be. New Plymouth winning the annual traditional for the 52nd time since 1931.

 

Florence, Slater, Boshier and lock Michael Loft impressed with their carries and defensive hustle for New Plymouth. First-five Haniely Setu was able to play with flair and control at times to. For Silverstream tighthead Stanley Paese was solid and busy, lock Aisea Mafileo punched above his weight on defence and Polu and Dutton caused concern in tandem out wide.

 

New Plymouth play Francis Douglas next Wednesday in a traditional. They won three games at the Christchurch BHS festival and accounted for Aorere College and Wanganui Collegiate in pre-season. Their only defeat was a narrow loss to Auckland GS.

 

Silverstream travel to Bishop Viard College on Saturday for the opening round of the Wellington Premier One Competition.