Mike Lazarz Trip Report #2
This past week of school proved to be slightly more challenging than
expected. I had several labs for science I had to complete and then for APE
or health, I had to arrange tramping / camping gear for myself, so posed
quite the dilemma. I also had to study more in depth math which just made my
brain hurt more than it already was.
Last weekend, Mickie and I went to Palmerston North, for the Annual
Quadrangular Rugby Tournament. Traditionally it featured four Anglican boys'
schools, but over time it has morphed into St. Paul's, Tauranga Boys, West
Lake Boys, and Palmerston North Boys.
We played Tauranga first and lost 20-5. The score did not really depict how
the team played as we had moment of true character and flare but just
couldn't pull it all together.
The next day it was West Lake boys as they had lost to Palmerston North,
13-8. We would lose the game 16-13, but the team looked mounds better than
yesterday and the coaches and spectators had nothing to complain about.
With 2 penalty kicks by our first-five (fly-half), and a nifty dummy to
score by him as well, the team put themselves up 13-11. West Lake came back
strong and wave after wave of attack poured on us and we just couldn't stop
them and the final was 16-13.
The team bonded well though and with Hamilton Boys 3rd XV this week, they
should win easily.
The seconds however played yesterday against a strong Fairfield College 1st
XV side.
The first half saw St. Paul's dominant in the forwards and take a 15-0 half
time lead, with big hits from Mickie Linch and great mauls and rucks as
well. The second half would see more passion from Fairfield and they would
come back to 15-13. But two more tries would seal the game for us. Off one
kick I made the catch and broke 3 tackles but the whistle blew for a
line-out. The final was 25-13 to us.
This weekend, starting Friday, the 8th of June, is our tramp; we leave at
8.15am and will not return till late Sunday night. I got all my gear and
things sorted, and I'm revved for the New Zealand bush, or jungle as many
people refer to it as. So, I will write a report when I return.
Mike Lazarz