Te Aute Cliffhanger

Te Aute College 1st XV coach Frae Wilson snr has labelled it the best rugby match he's ever seen. And listening to him describing it three days later it's easy to see why. The game - his team's extra-time 23-21 win against Hato Paora College, in front of 1000 spectators, at Te Aute on Saturday. "It was a awesome spectacle ... the atmosphere and the intensity. It was a privilege to be involved,"said Wilson. No prizes for guessing who was the home team's hero. Yes Wilson's son Frae jnr, who was playing second five-eighth. The youngster's composure in pressure situations is almost legendary. Frae jnr scored a try and converted it during the second period of extra time. It was just as well he did because Hato Paora scored a try two seconds before the final whistle of the period out wide, which wasn't converted. However that wasn't the match highlight for Wilson. Watching a Hato Paora player score a try and then dive into a group of his team's supporters, who caught him, was. More fuel was added to the dramatic encounter when Te Aute halfback Tirama Taane was sinbinned for a high tackle with seven minutes remaining in the final period of extra time. The score was 16-all at the end of regulation time. Lock Roger Newton, who operated well at lineout time, and flanker Mark Royal, who was playing his 63rd 1st XV game for Te Aute, were the hosts' other tryscorers. In addition to his conversion, Frae jnr also kicked three penalties for the hosts who have yet to be beaten by Hato Paora at 1st XV level. Along with Newton and Royal No 8 Toby Allison, replacement lock Kireka Te Are and replacement flanker Eddie Tauranga, in his first outing for his new school, were prominent in the host pack. Fullback Bryan Tareha joined Frae jnr as the pick of the Te Aute backs. The match was a Super 16 qualifier. Next week Te Aute will play the winner of today's match between Francis Douglas College of New Plymouth and Feilding High School. Wilson troops are unbeaten in the Hawke's Bay competition and this weekend take on neighbours Central Hawke's Bay College. "We've got a busy schedule and our boys have been lucky to have Francis on board," Wilson said, referring to Waipukurau physio Francis Heke. "I've just returned from another trip with a few of the boys to see her and like me there were people still buzzing about the game," he added. Needless to say there will be a bigger buzz if Te Aute qualify for the top 16 and reach the semifinals in the national competition. The potential is there ... it's almost time to prove it