Hamilton Boys’ High crowned champions of the World Schools Festival
Hamilton Boys’ High of New Zealand was crowned champions of the third World Schools Festival that was hosted in Thailand.
The team from Hamilton defeated Grey College of Bloemfontein, South Africa by 22 points to 10 in the final of the festival at the Pattana Sports Resort.
Hamilton has also been crowned New Zealand champions earlier this year by beating Napier Boys’ High by 17-15 in the final. They did however concede their title as New Zealand Top 8 champions by losing narrowly against Rotorua Boys’ High by 19-20 in the final.
Hamilton Boys’ High managed to secure a narrow 5-0 lead at the break of the World Schools Festival’s final thanks to a try in the corner by winger Alex Pitts-Brown in the 23rd minute.
Grey had a couple of opportunities to score in the first half and came close at least three times with the referee ruling that they got held-up in the in-goal area.
It was a try by fullback, Payton Spencer, in the second half that took the match away from the team from Bloemfontein. Spencer joined Hamilton’s backline in a sweeping movement to dive over near the corner.
Spencer, the son of former All Black Carlos Spencer, already signed with the Auckland Blues to further his rugby career in 2023. Grey also had a player in the sin bin at this time.
Spencer also slotted a penalty from the halfway line to stretch his side’s lead to 22-0 after outside centre, Aki Tuivailala also crossed the whitewash.
Grey managed to fight back in the end with Marno Stopforth and Dian Venter scoring tries to give their team’s effort some reward.
Grey College booked their place in the final thanks to a last-gasp victory over Welsh champions, Cardiff & Vale by 14-11. Hamilton Boys’ High won their clash in the other semi-final of the tournament against English powerhouse, Millfield School.
The side from Bloemfontein traveled to Thailand without their Grade 12 pupils (final year students) of 2022. The Springbok factory also decided that the team will also not be labeled as a First XV and not be allowed to play in the coveted first-team jersey because the final trials for the 2023 team are still be held next year.
Grey also played in a unique jersey which was based on the school’s original jersey from 1895.
Scorers:
Hamilton Boys’ High 22 (5) – Tries: Alex Pitts-Brown, Payton Spencer, Aki Tuivailala. Conversions: Wyndham Patuawa (2). Penalty: Spencer. Grey College 10 (0) – Tries: Marno Stopforth, Dian Venter.
