NBHS MVP Foote makes up for lost time
Napier Boys' High School midfielder Baylee Foote was a happy chappy when the Super 8 football tournament ended at his school today.
Foote (pictured above left) scored two goals in his team's 4-1 victory against Hastings Boys' High School in the playoff for fifth. That brace took his tally to five goals from as many games and Foote, was later named MVP of his team.
His success was an ideal form of consolation in the wake of Foote's early exit from last year's Super 8 tournament in Rotorua after he rolled an ankle 20 minutes into the first game.
"It was a good win and a good feeling to complete the tournament," Foote recalled tonight while supporting one of the school's basketball teams.
The NBHS sports prefect and 1st XI cricketer, Foote, is a son of former Napier City Rovers Central League footballer Mark Foote who still plays premier club football for Taradale. Foote plays alongside him when he doesn't have commitments with his school team and intends to remain in the Bay and play for Taradale next year.
Forwards Cameron Houston and Cameron Paterson scored the other goals for the hosts who led 4-0 at halftime and produced a cohesive team performance.
"Our start was pretty poor. We were caught on the break and didn't react well enough," Hastings Boys' High School coach Grant Hastings lamented.
Wide forward Joshua Larcelet scored Hastings goal. Striker Jarvis Alatise was always a threat and midfielder Isaac Belcher also shone for Hastings.
Hot favourites Tauranga Boys' College beat defending champions New Plymouth Boys' High School 2-0 in the final. Palmerston North Boys' High School beat Hamilton Boys' High School in the battle for third and Gisborne Boys' High School beat Rotorua Boys' High School in a penalty shootout in the tussle for seventh.
NBHS team manager Grant Bundle praised the work done by tournament director Peter McGlashan, a former NBHS teacher who retired in 2019 after 43 years at the school.
"Volunteers like Peter are hard to find these days and he did a tremendous job," Bundle said.
