Winners are grinners: The Cambridge 13th grade team after the win over Hamilton Marist. From left, back row: coaches Craig Bennett and Mike Pettit, Hanru Bekker, Sharvay Wirihana, Emma Hanham, Paige Vave, William Hayde, Jake Walling, Hugo Pettit.
Middle row: Aleesha Bennett, Jake Hazelden, Rylee Stembridge, captain Tylar Taulanga, Jack Marsh, Thomas Hayde, Oscar Church.
Front row: Alex Ward, Jonny Ward, Max Bell, Jake Hayward. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Will Hayde scored four tries, including the match-winner five minutes from time, as Cambridge under 13s beat Hamilton Marist 28-25 in the Hamilton Central 13th grade match at Memorial Park on Saturday.
The 13-year-old St Peter’s Catholic School student showed scintillating form winning him the player of the match from team officials.
Marist scored five tries but the difference was in the goal kicking with Alexander Ward kicking three conversions and Jake Walling one for the home team.
Marist gave Cambridge’s best player award to winger Emma Hanham who they said tackled strongly throughout the match.
At half time, Cambridge led 21-10 and looked in control but Marist battered their line picking up three tries.
Hayde’s runaway effort from just inside the Marist half was one to watch. He flirted with the sideline, evaded desperate tackles and then scored under the posts.
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- Cambridge halfback Max Bell gets ready to clear the ball from the Cambridge scrum.
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- This crunching tackle by Cambridge captain Tyler Taulanga on the Marist winger watched by Hugo Pettit, left, resulted in a penalty to the visitors.
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- Paige Vave moves in to tackle the Marist lock watched by, from left Max Bell, Paige Vave, Jonny Ward, Jake Hayward, Rylee Stembridge.
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- Will Hayde scores the match-winning try.
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- Will Hayde scores the match-winning try.
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- Will Hayde scores the match-winning try.
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- Will Hayde scores the match-winning try.
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- Winners are grinners.
