Page 411 - NUAFC EBook

A quick turn around and after a 3½ hour trip to Wales from
our England base we arrived to a dodgy pitch not suitable for a
short passing game. We quickly adjusted and got a breakthrough
when some good team play in the right areas and a cut back was
finished Cooley to put us 1 up.
Only 10 minutes later a corner was headed home to make it
2-0 to NZ. The second half was similar to the first but our finishing
was poor and pressure was really on when Wales got a goal on the
break with 15 to go.
Determination and hard work for the last 15 meant we held
on to our lead and got another International win making us the most
successful NZ Schoolboy team.
The next day was the one a lot of the boys were looking
forward to outside of football. A day trip to London where a lot of
money was spent by the boys on gear and football shops we could
only wish to have in NZ. There were floors dedicated purely to
football!! Again, going to London was a great experience and one
to remember forever.
The day after London we had a light training in the
morning and to our delight we were told we were going to
Nottingham Forest vs Leicester where NZ’s Chris Wood has been
playing and scoring goals regularly.
The game had extra edge as the winner was to gain a spot
in the play offs for the premier league. It was a cracking 5 goal
thriller with the winner coming in the 93rd minute after Chris Wood
set up a team mate for a tap in and a day the Leicester fans were
dreaming of.
All that was left in our way was England. The team Reid Drake
everyone wants to play against. The country with the greatest
league in the world. The history of football in the country is
something different and we really wanted to be a part of it.
The English approach was similar to that of Northern
Ireland in it being we were only little NZ and they were receiving New Zealand Schoolboys Tour Squad
their international caps later that afternoon. A toughly contested Judd BAKER—Westlake Boys’ High School
first half meant we went into the sheds at 0-0. After a strong talk we Daniel BOWKETT—Wellington College
were told that all will be un-done if we don’t get a result here. This Sam BROTHERTON—Westlake Boys’ High
is the game everyone will look at and say “but you lost to England”. School
Determined not to let people make these assumptions about Luke BULAY—Sacred Heart College, Auckland
our team we came out firing. After winning the ball high we got 1 Hamish CADIGAN—Papanui High School
on 1 and our top goal scorer on the tour made no mistake of the Henry CRAYTON—St Peter’s College, Cambridge
finish. We found ourselves 1-0 up vs England. Something we were Reid DRAKE—St Peter’s College, Cambridge
dreaming of with 20 minutes left of the tour. Jacob HARRIS—Kapiti College
However a host of opportunities that could have put the Damien HIRST—Kelston Boys’ High School
game to bed weren’t taken and England made no mistake of their Cameron HOGG—Mount Albert Grammar School
chance when it came with 10 minutes to go and our fairy tale Shuiab KHAN—Sacred Heart College, Auckland
ending was taken away from us. The draw was still a great result Stewart McKAY— Sacred Heart College, Auckland
and something to be proud of. Xavier PRATT— St Peter’s College, Cambridge
We were still the most successful tour to go to the UK and Daniel RIDGELY—Auckland Grammar School
achieved some great results. The experience was awesome, training Cameron SINCLAIR—Mount Albert Grammar
twice a day and focusing solely on football was something I could Ben THOMAS—Sacred Heart College, Auckland
get used to. With the added experience of seeing Dublin and Jevon WILLIAMS—St Peter’s College, Cambridge
London and going to watch some live games it made the tour even Jared GIBBS—St Kentigern College
more special.
All that faced us now was the 30 hour return flight back to Non-Travelling Reserves . . . . .
Auckland!! Results: vs Scotland 1-1 vs Northern Ireland 2-0 win Harrison EDEN—ACG Parnell College, Auckland
vs Ireland 1-2 loss vs Wales 2-1 win vs England 1-1 Charlie MORRIS—Wellington College
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people
that have helped me get to where I am today and for making this Staff . . . . .
tour possible, especially all of my family and main sponsors Mum Danny HAY—Head Coach
(Liz), Dad (Paul) and brother (Danyon). Also big thanks to all the Jim DALE—Assistant Coach
other generous groups and people especially the Mizuno Half Neil PENFOLD—Team Manager
Marathon Trust for donating and sponsoring money to help me get John O’DRISCOLL—Physiotherapist
over there. Tony AMBROSE—Tour Leader
Thank you to the team at Narra for providing a great place
to play football and grow with the game. The experience of
International football was special and if it wasn’t already clear to
me it is after having a taste of this type of football that I now need
to work harder if I am to have pro football full-time in my life.
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