News Archive: July 2009

Submitted by madelize on Mon, 27/07/2009
Match review Sat 25th July V Te Awamutu

 A home draw at last but Te Awamutu are top of the table so it promised to be a tough match. However we came out strong and we played extremely well even though in the end we lost.  The first half ws really tight and we had l;ots of possession but just couldn’t get the ball out to the backs. We defended really well, and managed to go into half time just one converted try down. Hopes were high for a come back in the second half but we spent a lot of the time defending. We played well and did go on attack sometimes almost scoring several times  - we thought Matt had managed to get over the line but the ball was held up. Other times we were pushed into touch.  A well organised looking outfit, they had a couple of big lads who made the difference, ran at us and broke down our defence to score three times in the second half. A couple of conversions and the final score was a “close” 24-0!
Romain played well for his first game in New Zealand and we look forward to his performance next time out. Tom also had a good return game after his wrist  injury. Carl had a cracker of a game as did our whole team in the first half but ran out of steam in the second half. Scrums, mauls and rucks went well and we pushed them hard. Line-outs didn’t go too well though!
 
The referee commented on what a good team spirit we had and how well disciplined we were and that it was the best game he’d refereed for a long time. KEEP IT UP!
We have a Bye next week so time for some great training sessions before we head to Cambridge! Get fit boys!
 
Anne & Lachlan Robertson

Submitted by madelize on Sat, 25/07/2009
U14 Match report 25.07.09

 
Back to a winning feeling, Hillcrest beat Te Awamutu 26 - 24
Playing downhill in the first half, Hillcrest got off to a good start and was up 14 – 12 at the end of the half. This week the team were more committed and played as a team.
Hillcrest were the dominant team throughout the first half and were unlucky not to score on other occasions. Connor Brodribb scored 3 tries and he was always in support around the field.
Throughout the game, Hillcrest would score first but Te Awamutu would follow suit by also scoring. Try scorers were Connor Brodribb (3) and Sonny Rau. Sonny also was successful with 2 conversions and Fergus Schumacher kicked 1 conversion. In the end it was the extra conversion that saw Hillcrest the winners.
Standout players were Connor Brodribb, Matt Watkins and Fergus Schumacher.
The next game is against Tokoroa,  at Hillcrest on Saturday August 1st at 10.40am. Tokoroa are just above Hillcrest on the ladder, so now that the team are fully fit, it should be a good match.
 Mark Eldridge

Submitted by madelize on Thu, 16/07/2009
U15 V HBHS B Saturday 4th July

Finally a home game and a chance for a lie in! 
Our boys got away to a flying start and looked dangerous in the first 10 minutes but good defence from Hamilton Boys kept us from scoring. Then we succumbed to a sustained attacked and despite some good tackling and solid scrums we let them in to the try line twice in quick succession. HBHS kicked well to convert and, despite a great, well worked try from Tahi, at half time we were 21-5 down. 
Once again we worked hard in the second half; determination and focus in good measure, heads and hearts in the right place as well as plenty of good skills. Jason and Tahi both showed their strength and speed to score off the back of some organised passing. Good team tries but they were unfortunately matched by the opposition. Final score 29 – 15. Still making progress – a good hard match to finish the term and a couple of weeks for the injured and bruised to recover!
Anne Robertson

Submitted by madelize on Mon, 06/07/2009
U14 Match report 04.07.09

 
The match was played at home on a muddy field but the weather was fine.
Unfortunately Hillcrest lost to Hamilton Boys High B 15 – 36. As usual, Hillcrest got off to a slow start and were down 0 – 22 at half time. Although their tackling had improved, they still lacked commitment when it came to winning the ball.
They won the 2nd half 15 -14 and certainly had a territory advantage. With more commitment and quicker thinking close to the opposition’s line, the score would have been a lot closer.
Hillcrest’s 3 tries were scored by Sonny Rau, Gordon Pearson and Connor Brodribb. It was a special effort by Connor as he has been unwell and had to come off not long after he scored his try, as he was throwing up.
Standout players were Mitchell Pikia, Kapri George and Lance Forbes.
The next game is against Te Awamutu at Hillcrest, after the school holidays on Saturday July 25th. Hopefully the team will be over their sickness and we’ll have a fit and healthy team to choose from to play.
Mark Eldridge