Kia Ora bounce back

The Kia Ora Warriors bounced back from losing the Coast to Coast final by edging Whanganui Boxon in the opening game of the Manawatu club rugby league competition 36-32.

Boxon and Kia Ora played out a tight physical battle at Fitzherbert Park on Saturday, the same place were Kia Ora were beaten by Taranaki’s Coastal Cobras last weekend.

It was a lot closer than when Kia Ora won 61-10 in the Coast to Coast semifinal.

Kia Ora started the game against Boxon well and scored three quick tries in the opening quarter.

But Boxon refused to give up and stayed in the game with a strong 20-minute period before halftime.

They forced Kia Ora to make some errors and answered back with three tries of their own to be down just 24-18 at halftime.

Kia Ora were up by 12 points towards the end of the game, but Boxon closed the gap again and made sure Kia Ora could never feel comfortable.

The standout players for Kia Ora were their young boys.

Prop Wesley Veikoso had a big game with his runs, making big metres every time he carted the ball up and his defence was strong too.

Hooker Hitaua Butler was sound on defence.

Zane Warbrick, who has assumed the captaincy after Tamu Aumua retired last week, was tireless at lock. In the other game, the

put the to the sword 60-16 in the mud at the army camp.

Linton dominated most of the game and shot out to an early lead on their way to a 30-10 halftime lead.

Cobras Linton Ohakea Magpies

Ohakea kept the score to 40-10 with 15 minutes to go, but couldn’t keep up with the Cobras.

Linton were short of players and only had one player on the bench, so their backs had to shoulder the workload to help the forwards.

Chief among the backs getting stuck in was Serevasio Vetenibua, who was playing halfback, but was more than keen to put his head down and carry the ball up.

Props Henning Peterson and Pita Marshall both had strong games again, giving the team front-foot ball and second rower Lugh Gimpl tackled everything.

Ohakea’s best were fullback Hayden Gouman, centre Caleb Mahu and new prop Tai Tiatia.

They had six first-time league players.

The bye.

The competition takes a break next weekend for Queen’s Birthday weekend.

Tainui Rhinos

had the