Taranaki wing shines in Stratford-eltham club debut
Taranaki winger Vereniki Tikoisolomone has made a memorable debut for StratfordEltham as the combined side picked up a first win in premier club rugby on Saturday, achieving a 25-14 victory over Southern in Hāwera.
Despite having been named in StratfordEltham’s squad in the previous two seasons, Tikoisolomone had missed the club window both times: in 2022 because of Highlanders commitments, and last year while he was playing for the Houston Sabercats in the MRL competition in the United States.
The former Whanganui rep had a breakthrough season in 2021 and was remembered for scoring a runaway try against Hawke’s Bay at Pukekura Park, one of nine tries so far for Taranaki.
Tikoisolomone scored two tries in Hāwera thanks to his excellent finishing ability, where his speed was too difficult for Southern to handle.
Stratford-eltham’s performance was much more clinical compared with last week’s loss to New Plymouth Old Boys.
The team was also helped by Taranaki halfback Adam Lennox, who scored a try and showed his skill and speed around the ruck. Veteran prop Daniel Bishop also scored for the visitors, while Rocky Olsen kicked a penalty and conversion.
Southern scored two converted tries. Also on Saturday, New Plymouth Old Boys continued their recent form against cross-city rivals Tukapa with a 13-3 win at Vogeltown Park.
It was a third consecutive win and means Old Boys will hold onto the Ibbotson Cup for another round.
However, it wasn’t pretty viewing for the hearty spectators who braved the wet conditions. Old Boys scored two firsthalf tries to Jekope Kitou and Brayton Northcott-hill, and Tukapa responded with a penalty. But the score didn’t change in the second spell.
Old Boys, playing in commemorative jerseys to celebrate the title-winning 1994 season, were guilty of making too many mistakes.
Jack Parker could have altered the score for the home team in the second spell, but a penalty just on the angle was pushed away from the posts.
Inglewood is two from two in the competition after a 27-10 win against Clifton at TET Stadium.
Inglewood was strengthened by the return of Chiefs rookie Josh Jacomb, All Black sevens rep Rhodes Featherstone and Taranaki hooker Mills Sanerivi.
Inglewood got their worth from the trio. Sanerivi scored the first try, Featherstone carried hard and made many tackles, while Jacomb controlled play well from second five-eighth.
Clifton scored on either side of the break to narrow the margin to 13-10 after 60 minutes.
However, Inglewood took control of the match, scoring two second-half tries, including one to Featherstone.
Coastal moves into first place after beating Spotswood United 43-7 at Rahotu.