Hamilton Old Boys premier men’s have just returned from Bangkok 10s Tournament, and with it, bringing home first place to lock away their first piece of silverware in 2024.

A mixture of youth talent new to the red and blacks, along with a strong pool of experience the side made the trip under experienced coaches Dion Ross & Adam Thomson with Premier A’s manager Wayne Goodwin leading the management group.

It was the club’s first year attending the event started in the best possible way. Going three from three on day 1, not even conceding a single point. Game one saw HOB comfortably win 47-0, while game two was much the same with a 40-0 win and to wrap up day one with a game three victory 35-0. That perfect record saw HOB move into the top half of the draw and play knockout rugby and in contention to win the main prize.

Day two kicked off with a quarter-final match against the Southerners with a 24-0 victory. Tries to Navi Sikivou, Epeli Vukivuki, Mosese Kalougata & Harrison Pett. Meanwhile, keeping that perfect defensive record across the four matches.

The semi-final match was similar again with a 26-0 victory. Tries to Josh Blaikie, Mosese Kalougata, Ezekiel Murray & Mogi ensured a comfortable win and a finale vs eight-time defending champions Jam Boys – who were also undefeated throughout the two-day event.

That final vs the Jam Boys was what all finals should be - a tight, back and forth tussle between the top two sides. Navi’s hat-trick was the highlight of the finale with Mosese dotting down for another try to cap off a try fest day for him. 26-19 was the final score with Hamilton Old Boys been crowned Bangkok International 10s winners for the first time.

The side return home with preparations well underway for our local Waikato Club Rugby season where they will be looking to go one better than 2023 where they were beaten semi-finals weekend by eventual champions Hautapu. A new look coaching line-up awaits for the 2024 season with former Melville head coach Wayne Botton making a return to Hamilton Old Boys after a stint their in 2015-2017 with the colts side.

Article added: Wednesday 28 February 2024