Big win prefaces anxious wait for TBHS 

Timaru Boys High School First XV gave their semifinal chases a great boost by thrashing West Coast Schools 76-0.

However they will have a nervous wait until next weekend to see if they have qualified in fourth spot in the Crusaders regions secondary school competition as other teams can match their points total and then the rule book maybe called into play.

The game against West Coast was moved to Pareora and the dry ground turned out to be a bonus as TBHS ran in 12 tries, with wing David Bennett in outstanding form grabbing four.

Coach Gavin Miller played a brave hand playing his normal reserves in the starting line-up against the bottom-place side knowing they needed to score as many points as they could.

The side however responded brilliantly, have the four-try bonus point in the first 20 minutes as his side ran rampant.

Bennett got TBHS under way after five minutes although maybe have a touch lucky as he appeared to be held up.

Number eight Tom Walsh then doubled the score to 10-0 when he was too strong for the defenders and went in at the corner.

Speedster Bennett then backed himself from 40m and prop Adam Simpson got the crucial fourth try with a powerful run from 15m out after 17 minutes.

Walsh got his second after Cameron Rooney took good lineout ball and the pack mauled its way over for the big number eight to score the simplest of tries.

Blindside flanker Tristan Woodward then got over to make the half-time score 36-0.

Bennett got his third after another strong run early in the second half followed by centre Sioeli Tuitufu, who busted the defence and ran in from 30m.

Bennett was then in the action again setting up replacement fullback Dylan Sawers before number seven Richard Ford skipped in on the opposite flank as West Coast started to really get stretched.

Left wing Samisoni Puafisi then got over after making several strong runs before Bennett grabbed a fourth just before full-time.

For TBHS up front Simpson and hooker Jesse Bown were prominent while Walsh had another strong game and was prominent in several good runs.

Halfback Willie Wright ensured the backs saw plenty of ball while Alexander McKenzie played well at first five-eighth.

Outside him Beard spread the ball wide at every opportunity and is a class act.

Bennett however was the best on the day with some sizzling runs down the sidelines.

West Coast Schools were brave and tried their hardest but could not match TBHS size, speed and skill.

Fullback turned number eight Tyson Walsh ran strongly when the opportunity arose while little left wing James Foster tackled anything that came his way.

Halfback Callum Lennon tried hard behind a beaten pack while number seven Matt Giles tackled and defended bravely for 70 minutes.

TBHS next game is the 125th clash against Waitaki Boys High School on August 12 in Timaru, hopefully followed by a Crusaders semi-final clash against top qualifiers, the unbeaten St Bedes side.

Injuries could be a concern with fulback James McFarlane taking an accidental kick to the head early in the game while key forward Rooney also carried off with a twisted knee that looked serious.

Beard also limped off midway through the second half but should be back.

Captain Nick Annear did not start and will have x-rays on an ankle injury this week while Tevita Tautua also has an ankle problem but not as severe.