Promising showing by Old Golds

YOUNG winger Ben Paton was just one of several North Otago players to enhance their reputations in an entertaining Heartland Championship opener last night.

The Old Golds left plenty of points on the park but were still far too strong for WairarapaBush in a rare televised game in Palmerston North.

They looked lethal on the counterattack, gave the ball plenty of air and showed genuinely promising signs as they embarked on a campaign to win a fourth Meads Cup.

Paton, who has come a long way since first playing for the Waitaki Boys’ High School First XV as a 15yearold, was in the right place at the right time to score two good tries out wide.

Inside him, second five Hayden Todd was the architect of nearly every North Otago attacking move, showing all his strength and pace as he linked nicely with debutant first five Josh RobertsonWeepu.

On the other wing, Mone

Samate looked supremely potent, and he could set this competition alight if he sees more of the ball in the coming weeks, while fullback Levi Emery made the most of his few chances.

The North Otago forward pack had the odd scratchy moment in the set piece but generally showed the blend of efficient hard work and enterprising skill that works so well at Heartland level.

Hayden Tisdall, Junior Fakatoufifita and Manulua Taiti hoed into their work, and props Kelepi Funaki and Lisivani Tuifua were relentless in their pursuit of the ball and yards when they got it.

The exciting thing is that this was far from the complete performance from the Old Golds.

They spilled a heap of ball — conditions looked slippery, to be fair — and made the odd poor decision and had some issues at the breakdown.

Minor quibbles, really, and while tougher opposition awaits, coach Jason Forrest will feel this is as good a starting point as any in recent seasons.

It took just 28 seconds for the opening try when Todd made a big burst and floated a lovely pass over to the eager Paton.

Twelve minutes later, Samate carved up from a kick return and set up Mataitini Feke, and it was a minor frustration that WairarapaBush then dominated chunks of the half, at the end of which the Old Golds led just 125.

When Paton got his second and Emery scored on the showandgo, the game was safe, and Samate celebrated with a wonderful finish with nine minutes remaining.

The Old Golds are at home to Buller this weekend, the Coasters buoyant after beating Mid Canterbury.