Pirongia fights back for bonus point from loss

Pirongia produced a mighty fightback to salvage a losing bonus point going down 31-26 to Southern United in Waikato division one rugby.

The Mountain Men trailed their former premier grade opponents from Tokoroa 12-0 at halftime and 19-0 early in the second half at the Pirongia Domain on Saturday.

Improved ball control and cohesion had Pirongia suddenly looking like a team ready to meet the challenge.

From an attacking lineout 10m from the Southern United line, Pirongia drove off an Aaron Leppard take. Controlling the maul skilfully, they took it right to the line for Stanley Rhind to touch down.

Sam Hunter then ran a superb line off a Leppard back pass to breach the Southern United defence and storm over from 30m out. With the regular kickers absent for the day, Hugh van Asbeck stepped up to slot the conversion from near the sideline.

At 19-12, it was game on. Southern United, however, responded by crashing over from a maul near the line to extend their lead to 24-12.

The second half turned into a real arm wrestle.

Pirongia scored next when their backs attacked from deep. Van Asbeck took an inside pass to finish off the movement and he converted his own try.

The sea-sawing continued when, from a botched Pirongia lineout, Southern United gained the ball and scored after multiple pick and goes for a 31-19 scoreline.

Back stormed Pirongia in their quest to secure a bonus point. With time up, Kayden Moorfield drove over from a series of mauls close to the line and the final act of the day saw Van Asbeck converting again from near the sideline.

Stanley Rhind was outstanding for Pirongia on his return to the fray following a spell from the game. Everywhere the ball went, Rhind wasn’t far away whether gathering and running and proving difficult to tackle or cutting down the opposition runners .

Hooker Preston Pepperell and lock Kyle Ingham were fearless in meeting the challenges of the bigger Southern United forwards. All the forwards assisted and stood up to their opponents.

Halfback Ben Rush distributed the ball well and selected the right options from the base of scrums and rucks. Replacement mid-fielders Hunter and van Asbeck ran and tackled strongly all day. Pirongia’s next opponents are Frankton at home on sponsor’s day this Saturday.