HBHS canoe polo juniors win gold
Hastings Boys' High School won the gold medal in the junior division of the Hawke's Bay Secondary School Canoe Polo Championships at the weekend.
The tournament was held at the Mitre 10 Park Aquatic Facility. Organisers had to scramble to cater for the recent Covid restrictions but they did a superb job - the hard work paid off and the competition went ahead – albeit with a few less spectators on the first day of play.
HBHS teacher in charge, Greg Barclay said the school's Junior team has been very committed over the summer.
"Tournaments in Palmerston North and in Hastings have been used as development and this paid off heading into the Hawke's Bay Champs. Wins against Taradale High School, Karamu High School and Napier Boys’ High School B in pool play set us up with a semifinal against St John's College," he said.
The resulting 8-2 win meant that they were to play Napier Boys' High School A in the final. The game proved to be a very tense affair as both teams traded blows.
"A cracking early goal by Beau Heibner meant that we always just had our noses in front and the pressure was on for Napier to respond," Mr Barclay said.
Respond they did, but Hastings Boys’ High School’s “never give up” attitude came to the fore with some tight defence from the team and excellent goalkeeping by Reed Paiwai.
In the end, they took their chance to clinch a 4-3 victory and the gold medal.
"This is a young team who have grown as a unit over the last few months.
"Their coach, A J Bowden has installed some great structure into the game plan and the team was extremely well led by Brayden Reeve. New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Nationals are in two weeks so it is time for the team to roll their sleeves up, train hard and give their best once more."
