REPORT | WAIHI REMAIN UNDEFEATED
REPORT | WAIHI REMAIN UNDEFEATED
Round 8 – Compiled by Tighthead Ted and his network of spies
With four rounds remaining before the semi-finals, the question arises, who can stop the Waihi Athletic Juggernaut? Undefeated after 8 rounds, the colossus that has built at Waihi seems unstoppable. Waihou is next up to test Athletic in Te Aroha, – that will be one to watch in the race for the top four spots come knock out time. This week also saw an unfortunate default by Hauraki North to Whangamata – just the third time in their 116 year history they have failed to field a team. They will be back next week for a clash against Mercury Bay in Whitianga.
PAEROA v WAIHOU
Centennial Park, Paeroa. Referee: D Tui-Taylor
A decent game of rugby was in danger of breaking out at times as Paeroa and Waihou attempted to make every error in the book, and some maybe not in the book, as the match progressed. Both sides would have been disappointed with their ball control, often getting into great position to put the defence under pressure, before bombing it with forced passes or handling errors. Frustrating for the spectators, it must have been gut wrenching for the players!
Paeroa though managed to put together more periods of cohesive play and came away with a solid win – one of the ones your coaches will say they’re happy with, but “with plenty to work on”.
Neither side gained any real ascendancy in the forward battle, both sides at times having times of dominance, but never sustained for long periods. The scrum battle was shared, big men going hard at it. Waihou’s lineout was more polished, Paeroa not really syncing, with the amount of slap backs as opposed to two handed takes attested. You would hope that the Paeroa halfback was bought a pint or two from his pack for the amount of times he got the ball, and five Waihou forwards at the same time…
When play broke up and became a bit looser with turnovers is where Paeroa won and lost this game, their backline dangerous when they can made miss-matches. Some lovely long range tries broke the hearts of Waihou after the visitors had clawed back into the match from 3-17 down at halftime.
Paeroa’s best were once again, playing at number eight this week, Oneone SoiSoi, He was a one man wrecking machine, hard to pull down on the carry, and making many big hits on defence. Also, when not throwing into the lineout, Paeroa’s surest source of lineout ball while jumping. Powerful up front also were lock Talea-Faaleaoga and Te Moananui at hooker. Centre Malielegaoi and Beazley in the midfield were also dangerous and a handful when play broke up.
Waihou were led up front by lock Tim Erceg and hooker Scotty Day, and his number one lineout target Luke Gilbert. Adam Radcliffe was all running from his hybrid fullback-first five position, and the Waihou midfield of Sam McCahon and Chad Bracey constantly tested the Paeroa defence.
Paeroa 27 (A Gaslo, C Kerr, J Penu, K May-Matafeo tries; N Emeery 2 conversions, penalty) beat Waihou 17 (C Wood, S Lelenoa tries; A Radcliffe 2 conversions, penalty). HT 17-3.
full album of match photos here https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=bartsrugby&set=a.1002940288025369
MERCURY BAY v WAIHI ATHLETIC
Lyon Park, Whitianga. Referee: J Grieve
The juggernaut continues to roll. Waihi Athletic powered past Mercury Bay in a clinical display at the beach, powerful running forwards, polished halves, and a midfield constantly punching holes, saw 64 points piled on before the gutsy home side applied the brakes in the final quarter of the match.
Not to say Mercury Bay did not contribute to the match, but it’s tough to score many points when you’re constantly defending, and with Waihi constantly breaking the gain line before being bought to ground, it was a very tough day at the office for the Marlins. Waihi were a class above as they rattled on the points in the first 60, from the loose trio of Axtens, Ranga and Seiuli dragging tacklers as they stormed up the field, followed by Delany and Collard setting the backline away, it was pretty to watch if you were from goldmining territory.
Mercury Bay tried hard to a man, and worked for the full 80 minutes trying to stem the flood tide that Waihi has become. Leading the way was centre Dane Mathew, hooker Lucas Lipa, and hardworking skipper Jamie Finnerty.
Standing out in the well-oiled machine that Waihi has become is getting tough, but Seiuli at number 8 was one who did, as did tireless lock Ben Mellow. James Mahi at prop showed that 80 minutes is not too much for the low numbers, scoring a five pointer after fulltime. Matty Axtens and Petoru Pouri-Lane rounded out those who shone a little brighter! Hell, that’s a third of the team – so maybe it’s easy to stand out!
Mercury Bay 10 (C McLeod, M Pauaini tries) lost to Waihi 64 (I Seiuli 2, C Gerlach, K Craig-Ranga 2, J Mahe, B Mellow, B Ranga, A Delany tries; Q Collard 8 conversions, penalty)
HT 5-36
COBRAS v THAMES
Boyd Park, Te Aroha. Referee: R Rogers
A solid performance from the home team saw an eventually comfortable win over the visiting Thames side. An early scare, with Thames snaring an intercept and halfback Seth Roe dotting down was soon forgotten as the Snakes pack went to work, giving Leroy Neels room to work his full skill set and control the game.
Two quick tries to Owen Fakatava, both converted by Neels, bracketing a Thames penalty, saw COBRAS take the lead at the eleven minute mark which they were never to relinquish. Their defence, led by young locks Tuitupou and Latu repelled the big ball running forwards of the Thames pack time and time again, never giving the visitors a chance to gain momentum.
Players to catch the eye for the home team were hooker Dare, who gave a throwing clinic at the set piece, flankers Nawa and Raiyawa and midfielders Fakatave and Paseka. Thames were well served by their captain Nigel Williams and Lea Mau, and tireless centre Dwayne Hughes.
COBRAS 36 (O Fakatava 3, E Naba, S Etoni tries; L Neels 4 conversions, penalty) beat Thames 17 (N Williams, S Roe, D Hughes tries; S Havealeta 2 conversions, penalty)
HT 17-10
SENIOR B
COBRAS 34 beat Coromandel 17
Whangamata 69 beat Waihou 0
Ngatea 5 lost to Waihi Athletic 28
Hauraki North LBD to Thames
Mercury Bay the bye
UNDER 21
Hamilton Old Boys 31 beat Thames Valley United 17