Sharks bite at Nines tournament
Two teams remain unbeaten throughout
A surge of Tokoroa dominance is the only way to describe the performance of the town’s rugby league clubs at the Bay of Plenty 9s tournament.
Pacific Sharks were the standouts in Rotorua, taking out both the premier and premier 2 grades with convincing performances throughout the day.
Seven teams competed in each grade with the top four going through to play finals.
Unlike the usual 80 minute matches, the boys played nine minute halves with five point tries in the marked area under the post up for grabs.
Both Sharks teams went through unbeaten in the round robin and continued the rampage in the finals.
The premier 2 team piled on the points against Central in the semis winning 44-0 before moving on to a convincing win against Reporoa in the final 28-10.
They dominated the grade through sheer speed, Yannis Mea being a crowd favourite.
Players Brian Turia, Mamaiti Jackson, Te waiata Anderson, Taszi Ruru, Manu Aumua and Jade Hawkins were stand-outs.
The Premier team was on form too, according to coach Paniora Daniels. He said the semi final against Ngongotaha looked to be a close one with Ngongotaha finding their stride throughout the day.
‘‘But we proved too dominant and fitness played a big part – Mau Ngavaevae and Justus Riki Hamana terrorising their left edge – this was probably the best played game of the tourney.’’
This set the boys up for a final against Taupo Phoenix.
‘‘We weren’t playing our best so some tactical changes and stern words had to be said.
‘‘This set up a nail-biting second half with both sides having equal opportunity to score with strong defence,’’ Daniels said.
A quick exchange of hands and the ball found Delaney Takiri in space.
With a little work he broke through to score a 60m runaway try bringing the score to within just one.
Taupo responded quickly and with only seconds left on the board it was set to be a Taupo victory.
Sharks went for a tap at halfway and it was Yannis Mea who almost broke the line setting up a quick play of the ball, Daniels said.
‘‘This left Taupo short on the fringes and with halves Vinnie Morunga and Ezra Takiri combining found Phayde Daniels unmarked scoring in the corner to place Sharks in front by one with 30 seconds left.’’
It was a poignant day for the Forestland Falcons who paid tribute to the passing of club member Anne Maree Koloke before their first kick-off.
The fresh-looking side set off to a good start taking their first opponents Ngongotaha 6-5.
Their second game was against the ever competitive Pikiao Warriors and as expected the hype was electrifying.
It was only by their own mistakes that Falcons let the competitive side take them on the scoreboard 26-14.
The side missed out on making the play-offs.