RUGBY
FIRST XV RUGBY Back Row: N. Newman, A. Pasili, R. Barnes, B. Newlands, P. Tito , A. Moffat, C. Claw , L. Watson , B. Eastgate. Middle Row: Mr G. Hall, G. Fabish , C. Bennett, J. Nasome, M. Walton , T. Feather, 0. Brears, M. Broad more , C. Dimond. Front Row: Mr D. Atkins, c. Raven , B. Maguire, J. We ston , B. Taylor (Captain), R. Brya nt, B. Fale , P. Hancock, C. Ansell, Mr W. Geange.
FIRST XV REPORT Commencing the season with many players back from the 1994 First XV, hopes were high that 1995 would be a very successful season for the First XV. By the end of the season these hopes had proven most justified. To remain unbeaten after 23 games was a remarkable achievement and a credit to all the players and to the two coaches Mr Atkins and Mr Hall. Without doubt the results of 1995 stand alongside some of the finest and proudest moments in the history of rugby at NPBHS. Well led by Brad Taylor, the team played skilful, open, team rugby in most games. Their style of rugby was a delight to watch and gained a lot of admiration and respect from opposing teams and spectators. Playing in the Taranaki Under 21 competition the team won all their fixtures to win the grade convincingly. The final at Rugby Park
against Stratford provided the opportunity for the team to display their open, running style of play at its best. With the backs running in seve ral excellent tries the final score of 31 /9 to NPBHS completed a very pleasing end to the local competition . It is difficult to single out individual players because the real strength of this team lay in their team spirit and the fifteen man rugby they played. However, it is fair to mention the exploits of Richard Bryant who in every game was a true inspiration to every other team member in his dedication, skill level, outstanding performances and the example he set. Team members also had to put in a lot of time and effort off the field too. The trip to Christchurch meant a lot of fund raising had to be undertaken in order to help reduce the costs of air fares to and from Christchurch for parents. The selling of manure, Woolworths
barbecues, and numerous other jobs and activities all proved most helpful in raising funds for the season's activities. Our thanks go to all parents who contributed so much themselves to the fundraising. The parents support and encouragement of their sons is of great benefit to the team as a whole. Many parents travelled vast distances week in and week out, their dedication to the team is incredible and the success of the team owes a lot to their support. Sincere thanks also to our sponsors - Auto Lodge Motor Inn, Stirling Sports, Coca-Cola Bottlers and Trio Business Centre. All team members are most appreciative of and grateful for their support. Our close links to New Plymouth Old Boys' Rugby Club continued again this season. We are grateful for their donation for the Christchurch trip. Finally, I am certain that every member of the team will have fond memories of their part in this year's team. For many, the rugby they have played this season may well prove the most enjoyable in their rugby careers. All can look back with pride and pleasure at the standard of rugby they played. They have indeed been important members of a team which has ensured the position of the New Plymouth Boys' High School First XV among the top secondary school rugby teams in New Zealand. W.J. GEANGE, Manager.
Results: Played 23, won 22, drawn 1. Points: For 853, Against 160. Leading Scorers: Paul Hancock207, Casey Raven 104, Richard Bryant 18 tries , Jane Nasome 15 tries , Johnny Weston 13 tries. lnterschool Fixtures: Hamilton Boys' High School - won 10-6; St Pat's Silverstream- draw 6-6; Wanganui Collegiate- won 29-0; Lycee Polyvalent-France- won 21-12; Palmerston North Boys' High School- won 26-1 0; Te Aute College- won 42-0; Christchurch Boys' High School- won 27-12. Under 21 Club Fixtures: Clifton - won 46-0; Spotswood - won 34-8 ; Central- won 89-0; Inglewood - won 57-10; Stratford- won 21-12; Coastal- won 34-7; Southern- won 99-8; Tukapa- won 293; NPOB- won 24-0 ; Inglewood- won 40-0; Coastal- won 24-10 ; Stratford -won 19-14; NPOB- won 73-0; Tukapa- won 26-0; Stratford -won 26-23; Stratford (final) -won 31-9 . Sevens Competition: Winner Taranaki Secondary Schools' Sevens; winner Clifton Under21 Sevens; quarterfinalists Taranaki Senior Club Sevens. Representative Honours: Taranaki Provincial Sevens TeamRichard Bryant. Northern Regions Coaching School - Richard Bryant, Clinton Ansell , Brad Taylor, Brad Fale. Taranaki Secondary Schools' Team - Brad Taylor, Richard Bryant, Paul Hancock, Brad Newland, Brian Eastgate, Johnny Weston , Brad Fale , Todd Feather, Clinton Ansell, Paul Tito, Me lias Newman.
TRADITIONAL COLLEGE GAMES This proved to be a highly successful season : Seven games- six wins and one draw. The success however can be more accurately gauged by the points for and against: For 161 , against 46. This clearly shows the team's ability to attack and involve all15 and its ability to defend with accuracy and power. The entertainment this team provided throughout the college match season was simply superb. A huge thank you for all the support received this season, especially during the away games. Versus Hamilton Boys' High at Hamilton At last our first traditional. Hamilton went into the game supremely confident after narrow victories over Auckland Grammar and the top two Waikato school sides. They also realised the advantage of playing at home. Th e game was played in excellent conditions, but unfortunately never really rose to any great heights. The notable feature of the game was the tough and desperate defence - neither side was prepared to give an inch. In the end the game was decided on getting into the right attacking zones and taking the points when offered . Hamilton had a number of opportunities in the second half but failed to capitalise on these , whereas Boys' High made the most of their chances. Boys' High deserved to win as they were the team more wiiling to play a 15 man game. The support the team received was tremendous and really set the scene for the rest of the season. Score: 10-6. Scorers : Bennett - try, Raven- conversion and penalty. Versus St. Pat's Silverstream at New Plymouth They say that al l good teams have 'one of those games' a season and unfortunately for this team it had to be the first home college game. The game was a stop-start affair due to some indifferent refereeing, poor delivery of ball going forward and inaccuracies in. the backline, both in decision making and execution. It was a game that most spectators came away from disappointed and rightly so , as the basis of schoolboy rugby is open, attractive rugby with a high level of fitness and skill. It was a game that the team felt they let tbemselves down in , but it is a real credit to all of the team with th e路 way they picked themselves up and forged ahead from there . This game actually proved to be the catalyst for the remainder of the season. The team changed their basic style of play after this game which proved to be highly successful , but more importantly, enjoyable for those playing and watching . Score : 6-6. Scorer: Raven-2 penalties. Versus Wanganui Collegiate at New Plymouth This was the game Boys' High had the chance to redeem th emselves in after the poor performance against St. Pat's. It was the game in which they wanted to show their true ability to the school. Unfortunately the Taranaki weather intervened and the school were unable to watch what turned out to be a superb performance. The weather was not conducive to the new 'total team rugby' concept, but this did not stop the boys from successfully playing it. It was a game where Boys' High were in complete control from the outset and on ly really looked troubled when the weather was at its worst. The entire team played with a high level of commitment and skill , which was expecially pleasing considering the number of backline changes. I think it could truly be said that the St. Pats effort had been forgotten. Score: 29-0. Scorers: Pasili- try, Taylor - try, Weston - try, Hancock - try, three conversions, penalty. Versus Lycee Polyvalent, Paris, France We were fortunate enough to be included in this French team's itinerary - this probably reflects on the level of achievement attained by the Boys' High First XV over the last six years. The game was played in excellent overhead conditions, but the ground was an absolute mud bath . On paper this did not look very promisin g for Boys' High as the Lycee Polyvalent team was considerably older and bigger, and a game plan revolving around speeding the game up, was somewhat negated. However, the Boys' High forwards dictated terms up front with strong driving play and the backs always made the advantage line, or counter attacked well. The game was notable for the tough
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