By Steve Jackson...
Well what an experience this team has had in Manila, it will be an experience that they wont forget for a while, amazing to experience a new culture and see how the people of Manila live.
On Wednesday 16th March a bunch of Harbour Boys left NZ under the name of the JML NZ Warriors to compete in the Manila 10s tournament. A massive thankyou to Steve Payne our sponsor from JML who got the team up to Manila and looked after the team while we were there and Co Coach Geoff Alley who through his contact made it all possible. We were accommodated at the Dusit Hotel where the players enjoyed the hospitality.
We arrived at Lunchtime on Wednesday after 14 hours on a plane, and already the humidity and traffic was taking its toll on the players. That afternoon it was time to a climatise to the conditions with a blowout at Steves gymnasium and it wasn’t long before the players knew what they were going to be up against with the humid conditions, this was followed by a BBQ at Steves place.
Thursday was a big day for the players where we trained in the afternoon from 1-3pm at the British middle school followed by a Coaching Clinic, with players from the school of all ages from 3-5pm. It was a time where we met the 3 local players that would be joining our team, Janelle, Kia and Ryan.
Then Friday was quick team training in preparation for the first day of the tournament. Unfortunately half of the team came down with a stomach bug, which wasn’t good start for the first day.
DAY ONE
After spending most of the night on the toilet the team managed to get up and come through day one without a loss winning all 3 games and sending us straight to the semi finals in top position. But the boys were fatigued and they had a brutal encounter in the last game against the giant Burwood Blues team from Australia. It was a very physical encounter and the players hit fire with fire and won an impressive physical battle and Geoff and I were proud of the effort.
Game one - JML New Zealand Warriors 43 – Whira Meltzer 2, James Little 2, Adrian Smith, Renata Roberts –Te Nana, Kima Iosua Tries , Bryn Gatland 3, Adrian Smith conversions – Defeated Alabang Ibons – 0.
Game Two - JML New Zealand Warriors 38 – Whira Melter 2, Murphy Taramai 2, Bryn Gatland, Lewis Gjaltema Tries, Bryn Gatland 3, Renata Roberts- Te Nana conversions – Defeated Guangzhou Rams – 0.
Game Three - JML New Zealand Warriors 29 – Renata Roberts- Te Nana 2, Whira Meltzer, Ray Niuia, James Little Tries, Bryn Gatland 2 Conversions – Defeated Burwood Blues 0.
DAY TWO
Today the boys felt better and with a good sleep and breakfast were ready to play. Whiria Meltzer made sure of that with a team Blow out in the gym at 9am to get their testosterone levels up and make the players ready for battle and ready they would be
The Semi Final was against the much-improved American Team the Austin Morris Barbarians, they came out to play and although we wanted to keep our defensive record intact the Americans managed to cross right on full time.
Then it was the final that all spectators wanted to see the English team the Larrikins against us the JML NZ Warriors and it would be our young players that came to the fore – Lewis, Dylan, James all having big games but it would Whiria Meltzer Man of the tournament and the only player to play every minute of every game that would lead this team with his actions. Ray Nuiia our team captain also lead the team well. These players were a credit to themselves there behavior and interaction twith the people was outstanding and this showed with their gutsy performance in tye final where (and I don’t say this often) they were up against the Referee and the Touch Judges with 5 tries being disallowed but the boys kept there cool and came out victors winning the tournament. The management was proud of the effort and they were deserved winners. It was a great opportunity for these players and us coaches to get to know them better of the field their character and resolve under pressure and in different circumstances.
The Team bonded extremely well and I am sure our team has left a great impression on the Manila 10s tournament and hope to be part of it again in 2017.
Semi Final - JML New Zealand Warriors 33 – Renata Roberts- Te Nana 2, Lewis Gjaltema 2, Ryan Santos Tries, Bryn Gatland 4 Conversions – Defeated Austin Morris Barbarians 5.
Cup Final - JML New Zealand Warriors 28 – Lewis Gjaltema 3, Dylan Lam Tries, Bryn Gatland 4 Conversions - Defeated B2Gold Larrikins 14.
Top Points Scorers – Bryn Gatland 37, Lewis Gjaltema 30, Renata Roberts- Te Nana 27, Whira Meltzer 25, James Little 15, Murphy Taramai 10, Adrian Smith 7, Kima Iosua - Dylan Lam - Ryan Santos - Ray Niuia - 5.
Most Tries – Lewis Gjaltema 6, Whira Meltzer – Renata Roberts- Te Nana 5, James Little 3, Murphy Taramai 2, Adrian Smith – Kima Iosua – Bryn Gatland – Dylan Lam – Ryan Santos- 1.
Points Scored - 171
Points Against – 19
Total Tries Scored – 27
Harbour Up
Steve Jackson
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