Where there’s a Will, there’s a way

Will Hayde scores the match-winning try.

Winners are grinners: The Cambridge 13th grade team after the win over Hamilton Marist. From left, back row: coaches Craig Bennett and Mike Pettit, Hanru Bekker, Sharvay Wirihana, Emma Hanham, Paige Vave, William Hayde, Jake Walling, Hugo Pettit.
Middle row: Aleesha Bennett, Jake Hazelden, Rylee Stembridge, captain Tylar Taulanga, Jack Marsh, Thomas Hayde, Oscar Church.
Front row: Alex Ward, Jonny Ward, Max Bell, Jake Hayward. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

Will Hayde scored four tries, including the match-winner five minutes from time, as Cambridge under 13s beat Hamilton Marist 28-25 in the Hamilton Central 13th grade match at Memorial Park on Saturday.

The 13-year-old St Peter’s Catholic School student showed scintillating form winning him the player of the match from team officials.

Marist scored five tries but the difference was in the goal kicking with Alexander Ward kicking three conversions and Jake Walling one for the home team.

Marist gave Cambridge’s best player award to winger Emma Hanham who they said tackled strongly throughout the match.

At half time, Cambridge led 21-10 and looked in control but Marist battered their line picking up three tries.

Hayde’s runaway effort from just inside the Marist half was one to watch. He flirted with the sideline, evaded desperate tackles and then scored under the posts.





More Recent Sports

Super rugby links

Waipā connected players are once again scattered across the Pacific following the 2026 Super Rugby squad namings last week. There are 12 players and coaching staff with Hautapu connections, eight Te Awamutu Sports alumni, one…

Quarter century celebrated

Cambridge’s wheelchair athlete Maioro Barton has completed his 25th New Zealand Wheelchair Basketball season playing for Waikato. He told The News that halfway through 2024 he was asked to fill in as coach until the…

Double for Donovan

Cambridge’s Hugh Donovan collected  two golds at the South Pacific Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Championships over Labour Weekend. Donovan, a year 10 student at St Peter’s School, competed in both gi and no-gi divisions for his age and orange belt category in Auckland….

Know rugby… can travel

Cambridge mum Michelle Santy says there are loads of “amazing travel opportunities out there” for young rugby players. Her son Jordan is one of four former Cambridge High School students who have ended up playing…