Season 2020 underway

The season kicked on Saturday with the Under 85kgs returnng to HOB for the first time in a decade. The boys kicked off their campaign with a runaway win against a University team who were outpassioned from the get go. The HOB team were straight into their work and looked every part a seasoned team, rather than a team playing its first comp game. They fluidity and connections were on point for the most part and the direction made it seem these boys have been together for years. We look foraward to their progress. Congratulations to Jonathan Peachey and the team on their first win.

A new look HOB Womens headed out to Taupiri under the guidance of new Head Coach John Rangitutia and came away with a superb win 32-0. Six tries is great but the doughnut on defence will definitely keep the new coach smiling for the training week ahead. 

The Guzzlers graced Fred Jones at 2:45 in a fiery match up against some big Jaradites lads. The Guzzler forwards got the better of the visitors in the first half with some nice lineout drives paying dividends, but a couple of missed opportunities kept it close. Final score 22-12 Guzzlers.

The Premier B also sporting a new look line up braved the sloppy conditions at Melville and will be better for the outing going down 19-5. 

The Premier game was to follow and the field might have well been a swamp. Melville knowing what they were heading for, played well in the conditions in the first half, getting the upper hand heading into the break 11-7. A quick score after half time by Melville, sparked a rally by HOB as the forwards took control of the pill in the wet. A dominant scrum and push over try got the boys to 18-14 and they were soon camped back down on the Melville line for another scrum barrage. Unfortunately, our boys were unable to reproduce the effort that got earlier dot. A final scrum on the 5 five earned a final chance. The ball was lifted to outstanding halfback, Xavier Roe, who darted for the winner, but desperate defence was able to knock the ball out in the motion of scoring and the final whistle was blown. 18-14 Melville.