Weather no barrier for northern rugby
The mid-north chill did nothing to keep away a good-sized crowd from witnessing a tough game of rugby between two sides determined to make a game of it.
Te Rarawa, who had made the most of their bye week to structure a solid attack, dominated the first half.
They kept Kaikohe at bay for most of the first half, Kaikohe conceding a penalty for a ruck infringement in front of the posts and Krystal Murray put first points on the board, 3-0 to Te Rarawa. The front row combination of Te Ruawai HerbertTua, Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate and Krystal Murray set a strong scrum platform to which Kaikohe had no answer in the first half. A few dropped balls led to several scrums, in which Te Rarawa asserted their dominance winning 2 tight heads, leading to tries by Justyce Karena, Krystal Murray and Te Ruawai Herbert-Tua.
Aroha Savage running and kicking game created space and opportunities for some clever running by Dano Davan and Karangatai Piripi. Tui (Kingi-Nicol) Baker off the back of the scrum picked up Te Rarawa Player of the Day with solid running and tackling. With counter attacks by Kaikohe backs cut down by some excellent tackling from Ana Allen and Brydie Harrison.
Kaikohe found the tryline towards the end of the long first half with a try to prop Helen Kapa out wide just before halftime, which was converted by Tyler Nankivell. Halftime score 20-7 to Te Rarawa.
Whatever the coach said to Kaikohe at halftime spurred the home side on to a massive second half, in which their forwards and back combined well, however, Te Rarawa defence held them at bay.
Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate opened the second half scoring, after a punishing few minutes probing the Kaikohe line, she bustled her way over the line, Krystal Murray converted. Kaikohe came back late in the second half with some good breaks, and Helen Kapa once again using her size to good advantage with a converted try under the posts to bring the score to 27-14.
This was followed by a try to Alisha Proctor, the conversion giving Kaikohe a bonus point and bringing up the final score of the game to 27-21.
Next Te Rarawa games
July 11 Men’s at home vs Awanui 2.30pm (Ahipara)
July 12 Women’s at home vs City RUFC 2pm (Ahipara)
July 18 Men’s Bye
July 18 Women’s vs Otamatea at Kaiwaka 1pm
July 18 Under 16 boys vs Tikipunga at Kawakawa 11.30am
JMB starts 25th July 25 with four teams