T H E TA R A N A K I A N
T H E TA R A N A K I A N
Rugby
Golf bones but newcomers Thomas Goudie and Michael Kurta fitted in to the team well. This year, the regional finals were much closer than they had been for many years. After 13 holes, the three schools were even and the pressure went on the leading players. Thomas Goudie finished with a birdie on 18 and Nathan Bennett Birdied the 14th to let NPBHS go into the final hole leading by one shot. Nathan put his third shot into the par 5 18th hole to within 6m of the pin, and then proceeded to sink the putt for a birdie. The other players scored pars. This meant the final scores were: New Plymouth Boys High School 229 Wairarapa College 231 Palmerston North Boys High 231 The individual scores from the NPBHS team were: Michael Kurta Nathan Bennett 72 81 Thomas Goudie 76 David Croy 82 The NBHS Team now joined 5 other teams at the National Finals to be played at Manor Park, Wellington on September 25. Golf has been strong this year the results achieved by the school team were the best that we have had for some time. Our golfers have had a busy season. lnterhouse golf This was played over one round of stable ford competition. Donnelly was first with 105 points for the best three scores, Hatherly second with 104 points, Barak third with 103 points and Syme fourth with 99 points. School Championships The championships provided a clear-cut winner this year. Brent Humphreys scored 73 and Joshua Kearns was runner-up with a 76. The best net scores were from Brent Humphreys and Simon Robinson.
National Finals For the first time for several years NPBHS took part in the national secondary school golf finals, in fine weather. Our team had practised well the day before, but the morning round did not go well for our best players and we were lying in 4th position at lunch, 13 shots behind the leaders. Some better play in the afternoon round produced the best equal score of the day and allowed us to take second place, 8 shots behind the leaders, Timaru Boys' High School. To finish in second place out of 180 competing schools is the best result that we have had so far and is a credit to the golf team who have and worked so hard this year. D J Mossop
College Fixtures Two college fixtures were played for the first time this year, both being played at New Plymouth . The first was against a strong Hamilton BHS team and the result was a 2 - 2 draw. The second was an inaugural match against Wellington College and we won this 3 1/2 to 1/2. District Finals Sixteen teams from eight schools contested the Taranaki finals in early May at the New Plymouth Golf Course. Our number one team was first, with a score of 234 N Bennett 78 D Cray 81 B Humphreys 80 J Kearns 76 Our number two team came in second ahead of Francis Douglas and Hawera M Kurta 84 M Campbell 84 S Maclean 80 S Robinson 84 Regional Finals On June 6th, the NPBHS GolfTeam, having won the Taranaki lntersecondary Schools Tournament, played Wairarapa College (representing Wellington) and Palmerston North BHS (representing Manawatu/Wanganui) at Foxton. The NPBHS team had lost two of their number with broken
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'The Taranak1an ' acknowledges with grat1tude the sponsorship from McDONALDS FAMILY RESTAURANT
RUGBY 1st XV Back Row: P Gibbs, T Tuirirangi, C Clow, C Newland, B McGlashan, A Purdie, D Gibson Middle Row: Mr G Hall, G Crofskey, J Luff, S Pickering, D Slade, C Barnes, S Gilbert, B Robins, G Lawn Front Row: Mr D Atkins, R Barnes, Q Brears, B Newland, J Weston, P Tito, A Pasili, G Fabish, Mr B Geange
1st XV Report With only one back returning from the 1995 team,it was always going to be a re-building year for this year's 1st XV.Emphasis,at least in the early part of the year, was going to be placed on the forwards as seven had come back which meant we could field a solid,experienced pack.Hopes were high for a successful season but there was also the knowledge that our young inexperienced backline would need some time to really gain the confidence and expertise which only comes from playing regularly together.The team won the Taranaki Under 21 Competition which was an excellent achievement,given that Stratford,our opponent in the final was older, more experienced team. To achieve this result the team had to dig deep and reveal genuine character and great team spirit to score a try right on fulltime.Team members can also take pride in their performances in the Traditional College matches.Winning 4 out of 6 is a fine achievement at any time considering that it was so close to being 5 wins with a last second loss to Hamilton BHS.This was probably the most disappointing game of the season because it appeared as though we were going to win it. Although well beaten by a fiercely determined AGS, it was heartening to have this fixture restored onto the College match list.This is a very important fixture for both schools and the return of the annual game was definitely one of the highlights of the season. We were also delighted to be a part of the first Shell National 1st XV Knockout Competition.this provided the opportunity for NPBHS and FDC 1st XVs to play each other for the first time in many years.This was an excellent local derby played in great conditions in front of a very large crowd at FDC .This fixture will now become an annual event,which is good for Taranaki rugby.We defeated FDC 34- ?,to gain the right to represent Taranaki in the National Competition.The team then defeated Wanganui City College in round 1 but lost to PNBHS in the next round .This was disappointing because we had beaten them earlier in the season. PNBHS actually progressed to the finals where they were beaten by Kelston
Boys'.The Knockout Competition is an excellent concept.lt provides us with the opportunity to play against schools we normally never do.Without a doubt,what carried this team through some very close encounters was the outstanding team spirit which built up throughout the season .To watch this team at practice was,in itself, a delight because all of the players communicated so postively with one another. When one player was having difficulties the others would provide genuine encouragement and support. It is fair to say that the real strength of this year's team was in the hard driving and mauling of the forwards allied by some splendid tactical play by the inside backs. However, the most pleasing development of the season was the outstanding form shown by David Gibson at fullback, Paul Gibbs and Bryce Robins. These 3 players will undoubtly be key members of next years team .This season has also seen the end of an era for one of the players,captain and halfback Johnny Weston,who has been in the 1st XV for 3 years. This is a remarkable achievement and tribute to Johnny's skill,dedication and leadership. It was wonderful to see that he was named 'Player of the Tournament' at the Northern Regions Secondary Schools tournament. Congratulations to all team members who achieved selection in the ir respective rep teams. It was a very proud moment when Paul Tito was selected in the New Zealand Secondary Schools team -not just for himself but also for the school. Paul is now only the 4th player from NPBHS to gain selection in the National team.An outstanding achievement by a player with an excellent future in the game.The team's thanks go to all the parents and supporters who were always present at fixtures and who provided invaluable help at the after matches.A lot of work goes into the home fixtures to ensure after match functions are succesful and thanks to Heather Weston for organising the parents so weii.Sincere thanks also to our sponsors- Auto Lodge Motor lnn,Stirling Sports,Coca-cola Bottlers and Caltex Elliot St. The costs of running the 1st XV are huge. The support of sponsors is essential to help
'The Taranakian' acknowledges with gratitude the sponsorship from FUJI XEROX BUSINESS CENTRE
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