Central schoolboys break 12-year drought | Taranaki Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Taranaki

After 12 years of trying, the Central schoolboy's rugby team have come away victorious, winning the Ross Brown Shield.

The tournament was held in New Plymouth from August 10-12 and in their first game, Central took on South. Outstanding effort from both the forwards and the backs meant the team came out with a 41-0 win. Players of the day were William Arnold and Giovannt Habel-Kueffner.

Day two of the tournament was a torrid affair with both teams not wanting to give an inch. Play went down both ends of the field but neither team could capitalise. The final was 0-0. James Miller and Shannon Thompson were awarded players of the day.

On Sunday, Central had the tough task of facing West in the final, held on the number one field at Yarrow Stadium; the curtain raiser to the Taranaki vs Southland NPC game.

Central had to take a win in this game and deny West the bonus point to take home the shield.

The boys were up 12-10 at halftime and thanks to a dominating second half, they won the match, and the shield 24-10.

Great effort by Andrew Hunger and Brett Nicholls earned them player of the day.

Brett Sheldon was awarded player of the tournament.

The team comprised of boys from schools in Inglewood, Stratford, Eltham, Eastern Districts and Kaponga.

They came together after two trials and spent three weeks training with coaches Chris Drummond, Craig Robison and manager Kevin Clough.

The team was made up of Levi Kahui, Shane Jury, Lewis Marchant, Nathan Percy, William Arnold, Craig Mischefski, Simon Young and Michael Goble as well as Liam Kissick, Scott Mellow, Brett Sheldon, Giovannt Habel-Kueffner, James Miller, Andrew Hunger, Nathan Clough, Jamie Fevre, Shannon Thompson, Daniel Walker-Setu, Luke Dean, Brett Nicholls, Lachlan Boshier who were named to trial and play for Taranaki.