May 27, 2021
Greetings all.
For the 1st game of Round 2 Old Boys played Spotswood United at Vogeltown Park. All matches were played in fine and warm overhead conditions.
A brief outline of the matches played is as follows.
BCD Group NPOB Premier Team
Once again, the Premier team got away to a good start when David Stark latched onto a dropped Spotswood pass at the 20-minute mark to score beside the posts which was converted by Daniel Waite. Daniel Waite kicked another penalty to give Old Boys the lead 10-3 after 25 minutes. With 35 minutes gone Spotswood scored to tie the scores 10-10 at the break.
Daniel Waite kicked a penalty 15 minutes into the 2nd half to give Old Boys the lead 13-1 followed by a try to Josh Thompson was converted by Daniel Waite to extend Old Boys lead to 20-10. Ruben O’Neill then scored a late try to seal the game which was converted by Daniel Waite. Spotswood hit back on fulltime with a try for Old Boys to record a 27-15 win.
Injuries and player availability meant the Premiers fielded a team that featured a number of Colts players in key positions. These players performed well throughout match and made a significant contribution to the result. In addition, the Premiers bench was bolstered with several Division 1 players backing up following their earlier game.
Old Boys best players were Jared Ritson (1 point), Daniel Waite (2 points) and JJ Pokai (3 points).
With the win the Premiers cement 2nd place on the competition table.
Alsco NPOB Division 1
After finishing the 1st Round at the top of the pack, the Old Boys Division 1 side were looking to continue their run of form against a red-hot Spotswood side. Yet again Old Boys struggled for numbers, unsure if it was going to be able to field 15 for the game. The rallying cry went out and the old veterans answered, with Andrew Gadsby and Sefa Cirikisuva joining the lineup for the first time this season. With Caleb Mawson and Sean Markham going down early, these old heads were going to be up for some big minutes.
During the 1st 20 minutes you wouldn’t think that Old Boys were short on subs, defending with great intensity, attacking with great structure and stringing countless phases together (a first for the season). Spotswood looked a little shell shocked and didn’t seem to have much of an answer, with Old Boys taking a 13-8 lead into halftime. That 1st half performance must have looked impressive from the bench, as Player/Coach Caleb Mawson decided to bring himself back into the game, scoring an outstanding try in the 1st minute of the 2nd half. Old Boys never took the foot off the throttle, finishing the game with a 33-15 victory, their most complete performance of the season.
Sefa Cirikisuva (3 points) turned back the clock with some fantastic carries, Matt Harold (2 points) dazzled from 1st five and Troway Hayes the work horse deserved his 1 point. The team is looking forward to putting on a performance next week for the ladies of the Club to go even further ahead at the top of the table.
Pepper Construction NPOB Colts
Prior to the game kicking of Old Boys was instructed by the referee that while Spotswood had enough players, they did not have a competitive front row. Therefore, the game took take place with Golden Oldie scrums. Disappointing on two fronts in that scrumming obviously would tire their players and also having a dominant scum is really helpful in setting up plays.
Spotswood started well scoring 1st and Old Boys did not get on the scoreboard until about 20 minutes into the game. However, from there Old Boys was able to open Spotswood open up several times with some really good set plays and also some outstanding off-loading in the tackle.
Old Boys scored 7 tries and was well on top at 43-10 with around 20 minutes to play. Unfortunately for the second week in a row the team went to sleep and let the opposition back into the game with 3 late tries. In the end Old Boys won match 43-25.
However, at training some defensive systems were worked on and there was good discussion within the team around how and where improvements were needed.
Junior Club
The fine weather made it another great weekend for junior footy. Our man-on-the-bank was lucky enough to travel to Eltham to watch but ended up referring an U11 game. The game was played in great spirit, with both teams playing hard but also having fun.
The North Taranaki teams generally play within the northern region until the U13 grade when teams are required to travel outside the larger centres. It’s a great opportunity for the younger teams travel to some of the smaller clubs such as Eltham, Toko and Patea for games.
General
This weekend, 29th May, the Senior Teams take on Southern at Vogeltown Park with this also being Ladies Day. Game times are:
· Colts 1.00pm
· Division 1 1.00pm
· Premiers 2.45pm
Home games for the remainder of the round-robin season are:
| Date | Opponent |
| 12 June | Coastal |
| 19 June | Clifton |
Netball Club
Premier
The Premier team travelled to Opunake to play Naumai but in a tightly contested game Old Boys didn’t get the result they were looking for going down by 53-52 at the final whistle.
The Premiers best players were all those at the attacking end.
Titans
The Titans team had a great game against Tyson’s Lethal, leading by 1 point at half time before going on to a comprehensive victory 41-25.
Titans’ best player was Huanna Foteddy at goal defence.
Rebelz
The Rebelz team played Spotswood’s Spotty Dogs but with injuries the previous week taking out 2 attacking players, the team had only the bare 7 for the game. Old Boys lacked mid-court experience, and Spotswood seized the opportunity to come away in the 2nd half to record a 28-16 win..
Titans’ best plyer was Erica Southorn.
Stars
Due to school commitments and injuries the Stars team had to default it’s game.
Social Events
The Rugby Club is planning the following functions over the coming weeks, ie:
| Date | Home Game | Theme |
| 29 May | Southern | Ladies Day/Day at the Races |
| 19 June | Clifton | To be advised |
| 29 June | The Good Home | Netball Bingo |
Updates will be available on the Club’s website www.npobrugby.co.nz or via Facebook.
Lighting Fund
In closing we remind you that the Club is running a raffle raising funds for upgrade of the flood lighting at Vogeltown Park. Tickets for the raffle are at $100 each. The total number of tickets is 300. The raffle will be drawn at the White House on 12th June. There are number of prizes to be won, ie:
· 1 prize @ $2,500
· 2 prizes @ $1,000 each
· 3 prizes @ $500 each
· 10 prizes @ $250 each
· 20 prizes @ $150 each
If you would like to purchase a ticket, please contact Peter Morrison on 027 948-8838. A bank account has been set up in the event that you would like to deposit the ticket money into the bank. Further details are available from the Club’s website see above.
Cheers
Keith and Owen
