Injuries take toll on Pirongia in 21-0 loss to Puta¯ruru

Puta¯ruru took their chances in the wet to record a 21-0 victory over Pirongia in Waikato division one rugby.

The visitors scored two converted tries to lead 14-0 at halftime and cemented their victory with a third converted try at Pirongia Domain on Saturday.

“It was a day of just grinding out the plays for both teams and it was Puta¯ruru who had the better of it,” said Pirongia coach Mark Evans.

Although the Mountain Men had their chances they couldn’t convert any and, with a short bench, injuries took their toll.

Several players went down with injuries before and just after halftime.

Prop Malcolm Crooks had to retire with a back injury, replaced by Kaarena Riddell. Early in the second half first-five Curtis Gibson had a recurrence of shoulder troubles and was replaced by the B’s halfback Greg Gane who filled in at second five. The reshuffle resulted in fullback Scott Sands moving into first-five and second five Hugh van Asbeck moving back to fullback.

The changes disrupted the Pirongia attack and they struggled to threaten the Putaruru line after that time.

While they gave as good as they got, a heavy field made converting half chances a step too far on the day.

Puta¯ruru’s second try was a game-breaker.

Pirongia had a period of stout defending and looked likely to hold on to halftime when, from a penalty, the Puta¯ruru captain tapped and sidestepped the defence to dive over near the posts.

Puta¯ruru wrapped up the game with the final try with 10 minutes to go when their second five charged in from 20 metres out to score adjacent to the posts.

Lock Cameron Coombes toiled away in the tight skirmishes for the home team, ably supported by flanker Sam Gibson and prop/hooker Lee Bennett. Sam Hunter was threatening with ball in hand until retiring with injury half way through the second half.

On a difficult day, halfback Karere Hepburn stepped up ensuring the backs got clean service. It was a brave game by Scott Sands who never succumbed to his own injury concerns and finished the game with only one functioning arm. Gane, filling in after playing a full game for B’s, was strong on defence playing in an unfamiliar position.