Tukapa maintain unbeaten record
Tukapa continued their unbeaten record with a 28-20 win over Inglewood at Sanders Park in the latest round of the CMK premier club rugby competition.
But Inglewood made Tukapa fight for the win on Saturday as they played well and disrupted the rival team’s game plan.
Two of Tukapa’s three tries in the opening 40 minutes were scored off set pieces, with halfback Santana Marshall and loose forward Leighton Price, playing his 100th game for the club, dotting down.
Tukapa first-five eight Jayson Potroz and Inglewood wing Lachlan Bunn scored just before the break to give the home team a 20-10 lead at halftime.
Inglewood came back in the second half to score 10 points, but Tukapa held on.
Meanwhile, a high-scoring thriller ended with a 49-all draw between Clifton and Spotswood United at the Tikorangi Domain.
The game featured 12 tries, with both teams scoring six, in a remarkable free-flowing spectacle played in front of a healthy crowd.
Defending champions Spotswood United would have been more disappointed than their opponents given they are yet to register a win after three rounds. The draw is also their second of the season.
Clifton’s tries were enterprising and more creative as several featured kicks over the top of the defence and players having confidence to run into the line.
Wing Kini Naholo scored twice, showing his space and power in either half.
Spotswood United used their forwards in many of their tries, but their most entertaining try came from lock Jacob Bourke who was put into a gap by halfback Kylem O’Donnell to sprint to the line.
New lock Tuitonga Katoa scored twice.
Possession changed several times in an intense final period as both sides were desperate for just one point.
Meanwhile, New Plymouth Old Boys surged up the competition standings with a strong 42-15 win over Coastal at the Rahotu Domain.
The victory has leap-frogged the side into fourth place, equal with Stratford/Eltham, as a win was needed to keep Old Boys’ competition hopes alive.
With what is usually a daunting task to beat Coastal at home, Old Boys ran in six tries to two.
In the repeat of last year’s semi-final, Old Boys scored three first half tries, including a penalty try. They comfortably lead 22-3 at the break.
Old Boys fullback Codey Rei scored a brace in the second spell, putting his hand up for reselection in the Taranaki team later this season. His skill and control at the back for Old Boys has been a standout in his game.
Coastal scored their two second-half tries from hardworking forward play, which is a strength of theirs.
Meanwhile, Stratford/Eltham picked up their first win of the season beating Southern 23-7.
In a stop-start game, Stratford/ Eltham used their forward pack to their advantage to drive at both scrum and lineout time.