This was a match that Hillcrest should have won, but lost against Tokoroa 5 – 34. We looked to be the fitter team, only failing score when close to the oppositions try line on many occasions and some poor tackling saw us lose.
 
Playing downhill in the first half, Hillcrest had most of the possession and spent a large amount of the time in the oppositions 22, but could not score. Even the 2 tries that Tokoroa scored in the first half was against the run of play and because of poor tackling. Hillcrest was the dominant team throughout the first half and was unlucky not to score. Tokoroa were leading 10 – nil at the end of the first half.
 
The job got harder as Hillcrest played up hill during the 2nd half. Again it was mainly due to poor tackling that saw Tokoroa score another 24 points. Hillcrest scored an unconverted try and missed scoring on other occasions when close to the line.
 
Hillcrest’s try, which was unconverted  was scored by Shaun Nicholson.
 
Standout players were Matt Watkins, Huw Elias and Reyne Graham.
 
The next game is against Hamilton Boys High A, at Hillcrest on Saturday August 8th at 9.30am. Boys High A are the top team and have not been beaten this season. If our team play’s to its full potential, I’m sure that we could go close to beating them.
 
Mark Eldridge