Tauranga Boys’ College are now in first equal place on the Super 8 table, alongside defending champions Hamilton Boys’ College, after another telling team performance in Palmerston North on Matariki Friday.

Tauranga had to fight back from conceding an early try, and deal with a big Palmerston North Boys’ College side, but the final score of 42-24 was a fair reflection on the game.

First-five Mason Verster sparked his team’s revival with a fine individual effort that stemmed from deep inside Tauranga’s half, before further tries to hooker Tyi Sinkinson and halfback Charlie Sinton stretched the lead at halftime to 21-10.

The home side suffered their second yellow card for a high tackle early in the second half which seemed to stir the team in white into positive action.

The turning point in the match occurred when Palmerston North’s winger Hunter Kennedy looked certain to score until courageous captain Charlie cut him down with an outstanding tackle.

Tauranga swept on to attack moments later, with winger Kele Lasaqa combining brilliantly with replacement loose forward Jay McQuoid to send centre Ethan McManemin over under the posts for a comfortable 28-10 lead.

Ethan was in again moments later, followed by a well-worked team try from a lineout.

Palmerston North did manage to score two more tries but it was too little, too late, as Tauranga surged to the top of the table with a remarkable points deferential of +132.

Tauranga’s assistant coach Regan Ward is pleased with how his team handled the size and aggression shown by Palmerston North in the early stages.

“We were prepared to play defensively worked early in the game because of the size of them and they are well drilled at using those big bodies into space,” says Regan.

“We gained a lot of confidence around our defensive systems and some new combinations out there as well. Like we started Ketai Zinyowera at openside instead of Jay McQuoid so just trying new players under pressure situations.”

Charlie’s tackle that changed the game was not lost on Regan and the other coaches watching.

“That type of tackle we have often seen repeated by Charlie. He makes a big defensive effort and those sort of things lift the rest of the team,” says Regan.

“He is a very good leader and is very astute at what he does and how he reads the game.”

The long awaited showdown with Hamilton Boys’ takes place in Hamilton on Thursday, July 4, at 12.30pm. It will be shown live on You Tube, thanks to Whakaata Māori.

Tauranga Boys’ College 42 (E McManemin 2, M Verster, T Sinkinson, C Sinton, J McQuoid tries; Verster 6 cons). Palmerston North Boys’ High 24 (J. Ratcliffe, V. Rongokea-Tupou, H Kennedy tries; J Viljoen 3 cons, pen) Halftime: 21-10.