The first weekend of genuine wet weather rugby, heavy showers, interspaced with drizzle and light showers across all four venues. Despite the weather, there was plenty of good rugby on display. Whangamata ran rampant to record their first win of the season, over COBRAS. Mercury Bay in defeating Hauraki North, at the Waitakaruru International Stadium also got their first ‘W’ of 2024.

Rain, heavy at times, greeted the two undefeated sides in the 2024 Senior A competition. Waihou was suffering a player drain pregame, with injuries and illness ruling out many of their big guns in an unfortunate series of events – in particular their 10-12 combination of Adam Ratcliffe and Sam McCahon. However, you would not have known, as the two sides battled it out over 80 minutes of ferocious no holds barred rugby.

Early on though it looked like Waihi would take the game away from the visitors. The well drilled Waihi forwards provided some quality pill from a scrum for a slick Waihi back move to put wing Dylan Bellamy over in the corner. With more deception runners than seemed humanly possible, the Waihou backs would have needed an Enigma machine to work out who to tackle.

After 20 minutes, thanks to a couple of Quinn Collard penalties, the score hit 11-0, and things were looking ominous for Waihou. However, in true Waihou fashion, they dug deep into their reserves and started to apply pressure. They dominated the next 15 minutes before capping off the half with an inspired try after a series of lineouts on the Waihi line. Hooker Sam Van Der Valk crashed over in the best style of Sir Wilson Whineray via a Willy-away.

With the score 11-7 at halftime, and the Waihi lineout finding it next to impossible to win their own ball, it was game on. Despite not being able to secure possession at the lineout, the Waihi forward pack started to get a roll on. Hard carrying from loose forwards Isaac Seiuli and Matt Axtens stretched the Waihou defence, and with the rest of the pack following suit, the penalties flowed. Quinn Collard obliged by slotting the three pointers, and the lead stretched to 20-7.

Waihou though, did not know they were beaten, and in the last ten minutes were hammering on the Waihi line. As the rain intensified there was no way through the iron curtain of Waihi’s defence, Brett Ranga and Dylan Horne putting in some hits bigger than Thriller.

In a game that should have seen handling at a premium, both sides ball control was to be commended, which led to a great spectacle that was well controlled by referee Dali Tui-Taylor. Waihou’s Taine Wilson on the wing was among those with a safe pairs of hands, while the Waihou forward pack was anchored by their powerhouse locking duo of Caleb Hazelton and Tim Erceg. Waihi’s Axten’s and Seiuli were the pick of the Waihi pack, while Bellamy and halfback Asher Delany excelled in the wet.

Waihi 20 (D Bellamy try; Collard 5 penalties) beat Waihou 7 (S Van Der Valk try; R Stevenson conversion). HT: 11-7.

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WHANGAMATA v COBRAS (from Whanga’s Whispering Will)

The Boom Pitt, Aickin Road, Whangamata. Referee: S Watts

Whangamata have their first win on the board after a convincing display over recent close rivals COBRAS. The home side enjoyed a wealth of possession, and despite the rain, which was torrential at times, were able to spin it wide with success.

The opening two tries came through hard work from the forwards, picking and going for multiple phases, then staying patient to reap the rewards for their efforts.

Then came the try of the day. A COBRAS clearing kick found fullback Connor Emerson near his own 22 and, opting not to kick, he ran it back and his long pass put Fozz Gilbert away down the left touchline. A series of slick passes and offloads kept the ball alive, and it found its way back to Emmerson who was brought down a few yards short of the try line. The ball was recycled, and second-rower Tim Bond finished off the movement.

First-five Logan Matai controlled the game admirably both with ball in hand and with the boot. Outside him, midfielder Joe Perawiti was his usual dynamic self, gaining metres and stopping attackers in their tracks. It was their skip passes inside the COBRAS 22 that got the ball wide and lovely hands from the outside backs saw winger Tyler Cotterill dot down in the corner.

Whangamata led 28-0 at halftime and the side were playing with confidence. COBRAS came out more determined in the second stanza and there were periods where neither side could gain ascendency. After a series of dominant carries from the red ‘n’ white forwards, a platform was laid for the backs and another wide pass from Perawiti got the ball to left winger Sonny Rau, who scored his third try of the season.

By now Whangamata had their tails up and the forwards were making great gains with their carries. Playing on top of COBRAS, Tyler Cotterill made a half break down the wing and lock Ben Laurie capitalised by dotting down in the next phase.

The forty-two point victory, in which Whangamata defended doggedly and attacked freely, is a performance the team will be pleased with and look to build on to keep their season trending in the right direction. Lock Tim Bond, rewarded for unrelenting hard work with two tries, and recently converted fullback Connor Emmerson, who was a constant danger, and Bond’s locking partner Laurie, another tireless worker who was also rewarded with his second five pointer in two weeks.

COBRAS entered the match with key players missing through various reasons. Valley reps Tyrell Kopua and Cam Dromgool’s absence up front was felt, and Sione Etonmi’s presence in midfield was also telling – a mouthwatering clash with Perewhiti will have to wait for round nine in Te Aroha. Hooker Shontayne Dare and lock Saula Raiyawa were strong throughout, and Kahura Moke, playing in the unfamiliar position of openside flanker was outstanding. Owen Fakatava on the wing was a handful, and Sergio Schuler directed play well with limited ball.

The day was topped off with celebrations for club stalwart Paki Solomon who played his 150th game for Whangamata. A great club man, who started his red ‘n’ white days in 2011, has played in every position up front, and whose influence on the team culture, and club is unparalleled.

Whangamata 47 (T Bond 2, J Barfoot, S Rau, B Laurie, T Cotterill, J Cordice tries; T Raoren 6 conversions) beat COBRAS 5 (S Rototakala try). HT: 28-0

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Like Waihou, and COBRAS, Thames came into this game against front running Paeroa with a few players missing at late notice, but like the two aforementioned teams, dug deep into the ‘club first’ ethos and filled the gaps with B players, who more than handled themselves at the higher level.

Another match played in conditions more suited to duck shooting that rugby, Thames battled the larger Paeroa pack well, with prop Justin Kibbett, in his first A match for 5 years, outstanding. Handling errors from both sides saw pressure hard to build, and with Paeroa giving away too many penalties Thames went into the halftime break ahead 12-10.

Paeroa, who had scored a lovely try in the first spell with some slick backline antics, changed tack in the second spell and reverted to some wet weather tactics which saw them take the lead early on in the second 40, soon blowing out to 22-12. With discipline now better, Paeroa looked to be well in control. However, Thames got a late sniff with lock Corbin Saunders snaring an intercept, haring away like a startled hedgehog to score and to bring the game close again 19-22. Paeroa were not to be denied the win, and added their own five pointer, and the game was again safe for the visitors, 27-19.

Oneone Siosio at hooker for Paeroa was dynamic and proved a handful for the Thames defence. Flanker Lino Tiatia, off the bench added a ferocious edge to the already tough ball carrying pack.

Thames 19 (D Hughes, L Mau, C Saunders tries; Hughes 2 conversions) lost to Paeroa 27 (J McCain, L Tiatia, S Talimao, O Soisoi tries; N Emery, T Malielegaoi conversions, Emery penalty). HT 12-10

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In a clash of the winless, Mercury Bay secured their first victory singalong of the season, earning a bonus point in the process. The visitors hit the ground running, with an early try from a smart short side dash from halfback Conor Macaulay putting Dane Matthews in for the opening five pointer. North replied with a penalty soon after.

The match settled down into an arm wrestle after the opening fireworks, both forward packs bashing away at each other with glee as they attempted to take control. With the atrocious weather, handling was difficult at best, and errors often released the pressure for the defenders as cracks were appearing. The North lineout had the yips which did not help, while the Bay set piece was better, but still not great. Scrums were an even battle, neither side gaining a clear edge in the wet.

North once again were well led by veteran Matty Fisher, who was joined by fellow veteran Rikki Sherrock, lining up for his second game of the day after battling with Ngatea in the B game. Both playing at a level that screams out ‘age shall not weary them, or the years condemn’. Fraser Anderson also did a double and was outstanding in both matches. Returning to rugby after a too long absence was lock Jason Hayward, who had a boomer of a return and landed the player of the day award.

The Bay’s best were openside flanker Miller Vincent, who tackled everyone on the field at least once, most probably twice. Prop Anzac Waterhouse who is having a whale of a season so far was again outstanding, and the inside back combination of Charlie Best and Dane Matthews, who are looking more and more dangerous as the year progresses, were a constant thorn in North’s side.

Handling was difficult throughout the match for both teams, and many opportunities were missed as rock solid defence often saw ball spilled at inopportune moments when one more pass or phase would have seen points being scored. An entertaining match that saw that large crowd well entertained – and well into the night by all accounts, in true North fashion!

Hauraki North 15 (F Anderson, E Leutogi tries; E Fiavaai conversion, penalty) lost to Mercury Bay 29 (D Matthews, C Best, M Save, A Waterhouse tries, C Curren 3 conversions, penalty). HT 10-19

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Waihi looked in line for a big win in this match in the wet, leading by 21-3 at the break for oranges. Waihou though came out firing in the second spell, and some silly mistakes from the hometown hero’s saw the visitors snatch a lead 22-21. A penalty soon after, stretched the lead to 25-21, taking the game out past deadeye-dick Reuben Meares lethal penalty kicking boot. Ferocious defence from Waihou saw a comeback win in the offing, before Waihi’s unrelenting final onslaught bore fruit, with a five pointer out wide – duly converted by Mears to snatch the win back.

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There was a dramatic finish in this match. After a tight eighty minutes, Whangamata found themselves trailing by two with the game almost over. They were given a lifeline when, on the stroke of full time, they were awarded a penalty forty metres from the posts and straight in front. The tee was brought on and the crowd went quiet as the kicker lined it up. The strike was pure and the ball sailed over, much to the home team’s delight. The one-point win was good reward for a determined effort against a Mercury Bay side who were always threatening with ball in hand.

– Whispering Will