Hawkes Bay Schoolboy Rugby

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Sideline live again having streaming issues, so I missed the first 14 minutes, but it's live now.

It's still 0 - 0.

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For several players this will be their last school 1st XV ever.

I assume for Napier that will be, among others, the Leutele Malasia brothers, Afa Moleli and Max Ratcliffe.

For Hastings, Cooper Flanders, Aone Lolofie (?), Mefi Tupou, Hoera Stephenson, Philip Kingi-Panapa, who I think were all in the 2019 champions squad, and possibly Jordi Viljoen (who played for Palmy Boys, last year). Maybe more. Not sure about Kaihau Pasikala.

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Since the stream started, all play has been in Hastings' 22. Napier putting on a lot of pressure, but no score yet. Hastings giving away a lot of penalties, and the ref has put the team on a warning.

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Short break in the game, with both Gus Brown and Nick Ennor receiving some treatment. Brown limping.

It looks like Pasikala is wearing the 7 jersey and that means he's the player to have a spell in the sin bin.

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Wish regular no. 7 James Pese injured, it looks like they've shifted lock Josh Leach to blindside, and Pasikala to openside.
I haven't seen a line-up for Hastings and don't recognise all players, so can't be sure.

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Hastings 2nd five is a tall lad, Tali Ioasa. Just made a great turnover. Finally some play in Napier's half.

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Deserved first try to a Napier player with a serious mullet. All after a great break from Nick Ennor.
Strange seeing Napier so dominant.
Didn't pay enough attention to who took the kick, but it was a good one.

Napier leading 7 - 0.

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That's the half time score.

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Napier's try scorer was their centre, Adam Curran. He's having a good game. Just made a great turnover.

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Napier very close to scoring their 2nd try. Gilgal Leutele Malasia (8), or was it his brother? and Nick Ennor, very good.

And now again, almost a try to Napier. Held up.

Hastings defence holding, but geez, why are they playing at this side of the field? Something is not quite right.

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Hmm, not sure what happened there. By all means, it looked like Gilgal Leutele Malasia just scored, but the ref decides otherwise.

Still 7 - 0 to Napier.

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We're now in Napier's 22. Hastings have the scrum feed ...

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That didn't go well. Napier totally dominated that scrum. Penalty Napier.
Line-out Napier, still in their half.

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Some very sloppy play from Hastings. Another Napier line-out, just in their half.

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Only watching with one eye now; watching the Tui with the other.

It's a messy game; both Hastings and Napier sloppy and making handling errors.

Hastings getting a bit more territory and possession now.

Hastings scrum feed on Napier's 5m.

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Try time! Didn't see who scored, but Hastings score close to the sticks and the fullback (still not sure whether this is Hoera Stephenson or Bryson Crawford Pakoti) kicks the conversion. It's 7 all!

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Wow, how things can change. Penalty kick to Hastings .. and it goes over!

Hastings now lead 10 - 7.
Not sure they deserve it though.

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That lit a fire. Napier back on attack, but knock on (on Hastings 5m line).

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Deserved try to Napier. Nick Ennor scores.

Afa Moleli converts.

Napier Boys lead 14 to 10.

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It's over!

Napier Boys' win the Hurricanes Cup! Totally unexpected before the game, but they fully deserve it. Dominated most of the game. It almost looked as Hastings Boys had already celebrated their end-of-season. Just not there mentally, it seems. Napier Boys' set piece was miles better and their passes stuck. Hastings Boys' defence was good, but they also gave away a lot of penalties.

FT: Napier Boys 14 - 10 Hastings Boys

Strange idea, but if there had been a Top 4 this year, this result would have meant that Napier Boys', and not Hastings Boys', would have represented the Hurricanes region (assuming that both Napier and Hastings would have beaten the Wellington schools).