North Harbour 1st XV Report - 7 May

The 1st XV North Harbour college season got off to a great start last Saturday as Westlake secured a dominant performance over Rangitoto. Despite both teams’ history of a few close outcomes in recent years, Westlake was able to overrun their opposition in all areas of the game, securing the 43-12 win on their home patch.

After a thrilling first fifteen minutes, Westlake had strung together three tries. A series of well-drilled backline moves seeing winger Jack Fuller, fullback Cameron Hey, and open-side flanker Jacob Katipa scoring in the corner. Westlake kicker No.10 Cooper Green struggled to convert early on but kicked well later in the game. While the Westlake players continued to play off one another, passing when possible and creating opportunities, Rangitoto continued to play as individuals despite their lack of success against Westlake’s strong defence. Another series of good passes saw Hey dot down for his second try, capitalizing on the thoroughly one-sided first half. Westlake led 23-0 at halftime.

The second half saw Westlake forwards No.8 Lotu Inisi and lock Blake Houghton run rampant. Houghton managed to muscle his way over the try line from fifteen metres out early on. Westlake suffered a momentary lapse in judgment, dropping a long pass along their own five metre line allowing Rangitoto’s wing Tamati Huggins to scoop the ball up and score, capitalizing upon Westlake’s mistake. Despite this, the Westlake forwards continued their dominance at set piece, intercepting lineouts, spinning the scrum, and forcing Rangitoto ruck infringements with in one case Lotu Inisi running off the back of a five metre scrum and taking the inside pass of halfback Casey Smith in order to finish a well-orchestrated try. Immediately following this, a stampeding run from just outside of the Rangitoto’s 22 helped Westlake score its seventh and final try. One final moment of brilliance saw Rangitoto’s No.7 Breyton Lenee collect a chip kick made at the fifty metre line and score under the posts. This would, of course, prove too little too late as the siren sounded cementing Westlake’s first win of the season.

In the other 1A fixtures, Whangarei edged Orewa at home with a late try to win 18-13 after Orewa led at half-time in a fast-paced game, Massey overwhelmed Birkenhead 65-8 and Rosmini soundly beat Takapuna 38-3.

The Open B teams played pre-season games 7 May and will commence their competition this Saturday 14 May. All other grades will commence competition or continue grading 14 May.

By Trey Tupu-South, Westlake BHS

Photographer Jack Hall of Westlake BHS

Pic - Westlake wing Jack Fuller steps around Rangitoto fullback Zak Martin