In this high pressure situation Tauranga Boys came away with victory thanks to a combination of scoring the winning goal and then goalkeeper Oliver Pugh making a crucial winning save. The final moments were tense as the team’s defence and goalkeeping played a key role in securing the title.

Coach Mark Page called the victory a breakthrough.

“It was an incredibly close game and winning the Rankin Cup after such a long time is a huge achievement for us,” Page said.

“The Cup has been contested for over a century, and this win is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in our hockey program.”

The tournament will feature 32 teams from across the country, with the top 16 teams competing for the Rankin Cup and the remaining 16 for the India Shield.

This format ensures a high level of competition throughout the week-long event, which was held at the Tauranga Hockey Centre, a facility that required three pitches to host such a large tournament.

“The Tauranga Hockey Centre is amazing. The Tauranga Hockey Association has done a great job hosting it and New Zealand Hockey has run the tournament brilliantly as well.”

Page said the tournament was previously held in Tauranga in 2018, where he was also involved as a coach. An English teacher at Tauranga Boys, Page has been there since 2007 and is also the college’s director of hockey. He also coaches the First XI.

Page admitted he felt calmer as the week progressed, despite the intense excitement surrounding each match.

“I felt like the team was in a good rhythm and building game by game. And the belief in the team just grew as the week went on.

“In the first game against St Andrew’s College we had to come from behind to get a draw. I said to the lads at the time that could have been a very important point to get. In the end we didn’t need that point but it showed a bit of fight and a bit of determination.

“And then we went out the next day and really started scoring goals, winning 7-1 against Cambridge. And from that point on, if everything goes our way, and it’s a tough tournament, so you need a lot of things to go your way – that’s when I felt we had a good chance,” Page said.

Throughout the week Tauranga Boys’ College displayed impressive performances and strategic skill. Their route to the final included a series of tough matches.

The team started the tournament with a 2-2 draw with St Andrew’s Collegiate from Christchurch. They then recorded a dominant 7-1 victory over Cambridge High School and a narrow 3-2 victory over Wellington College in their final group match. In the knockout stages, they beat Auckland Grammar School 2-1 in the round of 16, beat Palmerston North Boys 4-0 in the quarter-finals and beat Westlake Boys 2-0 in the semi-finals.

Page said the team’s progress through the tournament was marked by steady improvement and growing confidence.

“Every game was a learning experience and a chance to build momentum. The way the team adapted and played under pressure was remarkable,” Page said.

He also highlighted the critical moments of the final where the team’s composure and resilience were put to the greatest test.

Tauranga Boys’ College Principal Andrew Turner expressed his immense pride in the team’s historic achievement.

“The heart rate has definitely increased, that’s for sure,” Turner said. “Saturday’s final was an absolute thrill. We’re incredibly proud of what they achieved. These kinds of victories don’t happen by accident; they’re the result of a lot of behind-the-scenes work by coaches, support staff and the students themselves.

“I’m impressed with the boys’ composure and ability to handle the pressure.”

Turner appreciated the commitment and competence of the coaching staff, especially Page.

“The coaching team does a lot of work behind the scenes to prepare the boys and these results are a testament to all the hard work that has been put in. We are truly grateful,” Turner said.

“Mark teaches English, but he also has a passion for hockey that he infects with the boys, which is really special.”

Page, who has been with Tauranga Boys’ College since 2007 and is an English teacher by trade, has played a key role in the development of the school’s hockey program. His involvement in coaching and managing the team reflects his deep commitment to the sport.

Page recalled his own experiences as a tournament participant, having competed in the Rankin Cup for King’s High School in Dunedin in 1997 and 1998.

“Watching King’s High School win the Rankin Cup in Christchurch in 2019, with my former coach Dave Ross still at the helm after 30 years, was incredibly inspiring,” Page said.

“I’ve been thinking about it all week, just how cool it would be.”

He said the Tauranga Boys victory was a credit to the boys, their families and all the coaches who have had contact with them over the years.

“While Dhiren Rugnathji, the manager, and I have our names in the squad this year, this time we were just the guides. It’s a team game to lift a player. That’s what I’m most happy about – the total effort of everyone.”

Page said the Tauranga Boys’ had good hockey DNA.

“We have a rich history of excellent coaching and strong player development. This win is for everyone who has been a part of our hockey program over the years,” Page said.

He highlighted the contribution of previous coaches and staff, including Stephen Graham, Logan Gemming and Gill Gemming, who have played significant roles in shaping the team.

“And Rob Leslie, who has been with the college since 1979 and who was the hockey teacher before Dhiren took over that role a few years ago.

“It was Rob’s dream final – he’s a product of Timaru Boys’ High School. But after 45 years at TBC, including coaching the team to third place in 1980, he was happier than anyone when the whistle went.

“There’s a long history of people trying really hard, so it was great to do this for them and for the guys.”

Looking ahead, Page is focused on maintaining the team’s success. With a team made up of students from Years 11, 12 and 13, the team is expected to retain several key players for next season.

He believes there will be eight of them on the winning team next year.

“We have a squad of 18 players. We are losing a lot but we have some good players to fill those gaps and there are always good young players coming through.

“The guys who were there this year will be a year older and wiser and will take over those roles.”

Although the Tauranga Boys team has a strong rugby tradition, they have also been competing in hockey for a long time.

“Although we haven’t won the Rankin Cup so far, most years people would have seen Tauranga Boys’ College as a strong opponent. They would have known it wouldn’t be an easy game,” Page said.

Stephen Graham has coached the team for the past few years and played 26 Tests for the Black Sticks as a goalkeeper. Andy Hayward, also a Black Stick from Tauranga Boys’ College, presented the medals to the winning team on Saturday.

“It was really special for the guys,” Page said.

“Stephen Graham and Andy Hayward played together in the 2003 team that unfortunately lost the final. So it was a nice moment of closure.

“We recently had Hamish McGeorge, who was the college president in 2014. Since Steve and Andy we have had a lot of boys selected for NZ U18s but none of the regular Black Sticks.

“For example, this year Jett Chatfield was called up to the New Zealand U18 team. And two of the old boys from 2023 – Aiden Bax and Kaleb Adolph were also called up to the New Zealand U18 team, and Aiden was also called up to the New Zealand Junior Black Sticks team.

“And this year’s captain was Adam Bax, Aiden’s younger brother.”

Page said he checked some statistics on Sunday morning.

“Throughout the tournament we conceded the second fewest goals, seven. Only two teams conceded fewer, and one of them was Timaru, who we played in the final.

“But we scored more goals than Timaru during the week, so ultimately our goal difference was better than theirs.

“We had two clean sheets in the knockout stages of the tournament – ​​two games in which we didn’t concede a single goal. We beat Palmerston 4-0 and Westlake 2-0. No other team in the top eight had two clean sheets in the knockout stages.

“Our defence was obviously key to the win and our two goalkeepers, Taylor Groves and Oliver Pugh, were incredibly strong for us all week.

“We also gave away the fewest penalty points or the fewest cards all week. So not only were we disciplined in attack and defence, but we were very disciplined on the pitch and I think ultimately they represented themselves and their families with distinction.”

The First XI hockey triumph is a significant milestone for Tauranga Boys’ College, which has also enjoyed success in other sports. The school’s First XI football team reached the final of the national championships, while the netball team won the national title and the First XV rugby team had an outstanding season, winning the Super Eight.

Turner concluded by emphasizing the broader impact of the victory on the school community.

“We have talented kids in our community and we try to provide a program that meets their needs and develops them to reach their potential. Some years you see them really benefit from that and this year was one of those years for us, which is amazing,” Turner said.

As the celebrations continue, Page and his coaching staff will begin planning for the future, looking to build on this historic achievement and ensure Tauranga Boys’ College remains a strong competitor in secondary school hockey for many years to come.

Page said that while the job of being the first-team coach for this year is done, the time has come for the job of being the hockey director.

“It’s about planning for next year and trying to keep that going. It never ends.”

– The sun live