Year 5/6 Tackle Rugby Spring 2008

Having convincingly won the local Massey division, Hobsonville Year 5/6 Tackle Rugby team went into the semi-final day with a lot of confidence. It was a wonderful day at North Harbour Stadium and the team put 100% into their games.

With 5 games for each team over the day, we knew it was going to be a tough ask. The draw left them facing the previous year’s winners Red Beach, first up. On a dewy field Red Beach started the game with passion and scored a few quick tries leaving the 1^st 5 with a bleeding nose. Red Beach continued to dominate the forwards during the 2^nd half, making it tough on the slippery surface for the backs to make their tackles effective while on their back foot. The result was a loss to Red Beach - not the best start.

Game 2 was against a very organised and passionate St Johns team.  Both teams were evenly matched and it appeared Hobsonville had woken up a little more by this stage. In what turned out to be the best display of rugby for the day by two teams, St Johns scored in the last few minutes to pull ahead by one try. A narrow loss to St Johns – but both coaches Bruce and Bruce were impressed by the attitude and skill level of the Hobsonville team.

After Game 2 Mrs Mackay brought out the new Hobsonville rugby jerseys. What a change this made to the teams playing (and a pity the supplier couldn’t get them there earlier)! From this point on the team recorded considerably large victories against much bigger opposition in Whenuapai, Willow Park and Birkdale.

Hobsonville placed 3^rd in our pool of 6 teams with Red Beach deservedly taking the title for the 2^nd year in a row. However, overall the end result was phenomenal for this fantastic group of boys who normally play soccer, hockey or other sports, joining the couple who play do play rugby.  They spent several months learning about commitment, a positive attitude and  effort through early trainings.  Over the months their team work developed along with the understanding that the success of the team depended on everybody’s contribution.

All the boys developed and got better over the inter-school season, and a big thank you to Miss Mackay, Bruce Fearnley and Bruce Meyer for putting their time, energy and skill into providing a great learning environment and opportunity for the Year 5/6 Rugby team.

Total Record for the Season:

Wins = 12

Draw = 1

Loss = 2