Rugby Results 1 August and 25th July 2015

WBHS 1st XV vs Massey High School 1st XV

By Jake Wise

Westlake Boys High School and Massey High School played out a thrilling regular season finale last Saturday in the Canon 1A 1st XV competition. The two equally matched teams created an end to end match that ended 27 – 20 in Westlake’s favour. Westlake began the game strongest. The visitors pinned an innocuous Massey within their own half and looked as though they might run away with the game. Massey however, needing a win to automatically get through to the major semi-finals, determinedly fought the Swans, leading the points tally for most of the game. Tenacity and a physical advantage from Westlake proved too much though, Massey succumbing to two late tries, forcing the home team to settle for third place and a minor semi-final first seed.

The first ten minutes of the match was all Westlake, as Massey barely touched the ball. Yet Massey performed impeccably in defence, an area they have seriously strengthened since the start of the season. Inside the first ten minutes Massey scored against the run of play. Westlake had an instant reply, with Arno Mouton ploughing through a previously stern Massey defence to tie the game at 7-7. Both team’s kickers then traded penalties. Sam Babb and Jake Studd were both calm and composed throughout the game. Arno Mouton, Moses Leo and Logan Lawrence threatened the Massey defence with an awesome attack but could not finish it off with a try.  The match preceded to slow down significantly after this, with Massey using organisation and physicality in their forwards to keep Westlake at bay. The half time score was locked at 10 all.

The second half began with much of the same; Westlake were unable to break through a resolute Massey defence. Izaak Scheib, Finlay Brewis and Leon Thambiran again had a great game and kept attacking Massey’s defensive line.  By the 50th minute another pair of penalties had the game tied at 13-13, as emotions intensified on the pitch. Westlake suffered an unfortunate lapse in concentration and allowed Massey to sneak in a second try of the game, and gave them a vital seven point lead. After twelve more minutes of infallible Massey defending, an injury to Sam Babb provided Westlake with a crucial team talk. The Swans came back transformed, putting constant pressure on Massey until the home side eventually cracked; Leon Thambiran eventually pushed through his opposition after several minutes of concerted attack. Ammon Moller converted for 20-20, and it seemed as though this would be the fulltime score. However, Josh Dahlberg charged through the flanks after excellent link up play with Logan Lawrence, providing Westlake with a win.

WBHS 4^th XV vs Rosmini College 3^rd XV
The 4^th XV went down 7-17 to a better organised and more disciplined Rosmini 3^rd XV, despite their best efforts. The team now faces a challenging finish with matches against two other school 1^st XV’s to make the semifinals. The match started off well when Westlake scored first, dominating territory. Two tries either side of half time placed Rosmini in a comfortable position and some missed opportunities saw Westlake chasing the game after a penalty was awarded late in the match.

Other Rugby Results

Results 25th July 2015

WBHS 1^st XV vs Takapuna Grammar School
With the Woodhouse Shield at stake for the home match, Westlake started off with some receptive errors, putting themselves under pressure in the first 15 minutes of the match. Sturdy Westlake defence kept Takapuna Grammar at bay for long periods at a time with only a penalty kick as their reward for maintaining possession of the ball. Once Westlake managed to control their own ball, the game flowed more freely and the team finished the first half with two converted tries and a penalty, taking the lead at half time to 17-3.

The second half was a more comforting display by the home team and with Ammon Moller asserting his presence on the game, the ball movement was outstanding. Westlake showed off its skills that might have been lacking in their play earlier in the season. Fine Inisi had a memorable game with some scintillating runs through the Takapuna Grammar defence. Izaak Scheib continued to exert his dominance inspiring his fellow team mates to follow his lead. With the final whistle score at 43-17, the convincing win maintains Westlake’s nine point lead in the competition with only one game left in round robin against the formidable Massey High School away on Saturday 1 August.

WBHS 2^nd XI vs Mahurangi College
The Westlake 2^nd XV clinched a tight victory against Mahurangi 1^st XV on Saturday. Westlake were caught napping from the kick off and conceded 7 points within the opening minute of the game. This was swiftly followed up by a second try by Mahurangi thanks to weak Westlake defense. Westlake had to weather a number of follow up attacks but managed to stop the bleeding at 14-0. Westlake showed incredible determination and maturity to run in two of their own tries both by Jack Fuller and a penalty by Cameron Abrahamse. This meant going into the break trailing by just one point. Geoff Heck crossed for the only points of the second half and gave Westlake an 18-14 victory. The boys can take great pride in their fightback but will need to shore up their defense in the coming weeks.