THAMES VALLEY CLUB RUGBY
There were several takeaways from the latest round of Thames Valley club rugby. In the Senior A competition Waihi Athletic beat previously unbeaten Waihou to make it four wins from four and lead the competition. Paeroa continues to impress as they move into second place. In Senior B both Coromandel and Waihi are unbeaten. An interestingly low scoring game between neighbours Ngatea 3 and Hauraki North 3 saw the points shared. At the Waihi Rugby stadium the two unbeaten Senior A sides Waihi Athletic and Waihou faced up. This was always going to be a close affair. After leading 11-7 at halftime the steadier Waihi Athletic kicked three second half penalties to win 20-7. Waihi scored the first try after six minutes and two Quin Collard penalties gave Waihi a strong 11-0 lead. Waihou missed two gettable penalties before they scored their try five minutes before halftime with the successful conversion. The inevitable rain returned for the second half with gum boots, umbrellas and hoodies essential equipment.
Waihi co-captains Brett Ranga and Matty Axtens both had powerful games. They both carried the ball strongly and were relentless tacklers on defence. Waihi took advantage of three penalty kicks in the second half and kept Waihou scoreless for the win. Waihi Athletic 20 ( D Bellamy try, Collard 5 penalties) v Waihou 7 (S van der Valk try, R Stevenson conversion). It was win time for Whangamata at last with a thumping 47-5 win over heavyweights Te Aroha Cobras. The Red n Whites forwards controlled possession and their first five Logan Matai dictated play. Mid field back Joe Perawiti had a dynamic game both on offensive and defence. Whangamata had the game under control at halftime with a comfortable 28-0 lead. Newly converted full back Connor Emerson showed out for Whangamata alongside locking partners Laurie and Bond. Whangamata celebrated game 150 for club stalwart Paki Solomon who debuted for the club in 2011. Paki has played in every forward position and is a fabulous club ambassador and influence on the club culture. Whangamata 47 (T Bond 2, J Barfoot, S Rau, B Laurie, T Cotterill, J Cordice tries, T Raoren 6 Conversions) v Te Aroha Cobras 5 (S Rototakala try) Another closely fought game between Thames and Paeroa at Rhodes Park, Thames. Untidy conceding of penalties by Paeroa saw them behind 12-10 at half time.
A tactical readjustment saw Paeroa adopt a more conservative wet weather approach in the second spell. They nipped out to a handy 22-12 lead. Thames got the score back to 22-19 before Paeroa scored the final try. Leading Paeroa player was dynamic hooker Oneone Soiso who helped himself to a try. Thames 19 (D Hughes, L Mau, C Sanders tries, Hughes 2 conversions v Paeroa 27 ( J Mc Cain, L Tiatia, S Talimao and O Soisoi tries, N Emery, T Malielagaoi conversions, Emery penalty) At Waitakaruru International rugby stadium the clash of the two winless sides saw Mercury Bay 29 beat Hauraki North 15. Tough weather conditions on the plains made ball handling a challenge. Mercury Bay turned their half time lead of 19-20 to final score 29-15. Hauraki North 15 (F Anderson, E Leutogi tries, E Fiavaai conversion and penalty) v Mercury Bay 29 D Matthews, C Best, M Save, A Waterhouse tries, C Curren 3 conversions and penalty. Results
Senior A Thames 19 v Paeroa 27, Whangamata 47 v Te Aroha Cobras 5, Hauraki North 15 v Mercury Bay 29, Waihi Athletic 20 v Waihou 7. Senior B Waihi Athletic 28 v Waihou 25, Thames 12 v Coromandel 49, Whangamata 13 v Mercury Bay 12, Hauraki North 3 v Ngatea 3. Te Aroha Cobras Bye. Under 21 Rugby United 20 v Varsity 12. Womens Hauraki North Diamonds 5 v Hautapu Sports 17. Draw for Saturday 27 April 2024 Senior A — split draw, home team named first 2pm kick off. Waihou v Te Aroha Cobras and Waihi Athletic v Thames. Senior B home team named first 12.25pm kick off. Coromandel v Waihou, Waihi Athletic v Whangamata, Mercury Bay v Hauraki North, Ngatea v Te Aroha Cobras and Thames Bye.
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