Kuranui College First XV, left, going to battle with Tararua College. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
COLLEGE SPORT
Kuranui College has retained one of their most coveted pieces of silverware after defeating Tararua College by four wins to three in their annual sports exchange.
The win means Kuranui keep the Bailey Trophy for another year, after the sporting fixtures took place at the Pahiatua Sports Complex last Friday.
All the school’s top teams across five different sports took a day away from their studies to travel north for a highly-competitive day of action, played in excellent spirits throughout.
Kuranui sports co-ordinator Donald Yee was delighted with the day and said it was a credit to the students, coaches and supporters.
“This was a great day of sport, played in a fine spirit and obviously we’re proud to have come out on top once again,” he said.
“A big thank you goes to all the parent supporters who came along, as well as coaches taking the day off to be with their teams.”
Kuranui were triumphant in the boys’ first XI hockey [4-1], boys’ and girls’ first XI football [10-1 and 11-0] and boys’ first XV rugby [20-10], with Tararua winning both boys’ and girls’ senior basketball [64-48 and 84-11], along with girls’ senior A netball [30-27]. The girls’ first XI hockey match ended in a 1-1 draw.
The two football games resulted in comprehensive Kuranui victories, emphasising the depth of talent at the school.
The boys’ first XI headed on to the field with the inspirational speech of their captain for the day, Year 10 Lachie Taylor, ringing in their ears.
Tararua got off to an unlucky start with an own goal, and then Kuranui showed their dominance against a somewhat overmatched, but spirited, Tararua team.
Mac Regnault came racing up off the backline for two corners and scored headers from both.
Taylor slotted a great shot from the side of the box, and further goals from Lincoln Williams, Connor Turton and Luke Rodger pushed out the total.
To the home team’s credit, they never let their heads drop and battled the whole way, scoring with a cracker of a drive and side-step of the keeper.
Player of the day was Taylor for stepping up to being captain and making a great job of it.
Their female counterparts went one better in their 11-0 win.
The girls showed good passing and finished their chances well, with both teams exhibiting excellent sportsmanship. Player of the day was Dylen King for good movement in the midfield and creating chances in the
final third.
The boys’ hockey fixture was one of the hardest-fought games of the day, with Kuranui building a 3-1 halftime lead and eventually going on to win 4-1.
Jack Morgan and AJ Southey bagged two goals apiece and player of the day went to Cameron Wilson for a strong game on defence.
