O¯ haupo¯ pip Taupiri after late surge
Victory fitting to celebrate club legend Wally Kite
O¯haupo¯ rugby club hosted a great day of footy on Saturday as the 2022 Waikato club rugby season kicked off on what doubled as the Wally Kite Memorial Day, a tribute for a wellrespected life member and servant of the club who died in November.
After a moment of silence for Kite, Ohaupo¯ ¯ B kicked off their season against Taupiri B.
Taupiri B came away with the win 34-5, but with a large pack of players keen to put on the O¯ haupo¯ kit it was a promising start to the season.
Workhorse openside flanker Bevan Tobin received the player of the day accolades after a solid defensive performance.
Other players to stand out for Ohaupo¯ ¯ were first five-eighth Michael Monahan and lock Josh Donaghy.
The main match was an intense battle between O¯ haupo¯ and Taupiri where O¯ haupo¯ proved they were an 80-minute team.
Taupiri kicked off and attacked the roadside end of O¯ haupo¯ Memorial Park.
O¯ haupo¯ scored first through lock Chris Johnson, who broke the Taupiri defence line on the visiting team’s 22m line to show a clean set of heels and score under the posts.
Scott Thomas converted to give Ohaupo¯ ¯ the early lead 7-0.
Taupiri were next to score after a prolonged period of attack, when they converted a penalty just outside the¯O¯haupo¯
22m mark. Ohaupo¯ went straight back on attack after the kick-off, and this time it was Alex Fullerton, the other
O¯ haupo¯ lock, who went over in the left-hand corner.
Taupiri then continued the trend and straight after they kicked off were awarded a penalty, which they converted to leave the score 12-6 to O¯ haupo¯ .
At times during the middle part of the first half, the game became a kickathon between the two fullbacks, as the territory see-sawed.
Just before the halftime break after 10 minutes camped on the O¯ haupo¯ line, the Taupiri backline executed a sharp move from a set-piece,¯for the fullback to break through the Ohaupo¯ defence and score.
The try was converted just before the whistle was blown for halftime for Taupiri to take the lead into the break 13-12.
Taupiri were first to score straight after the break with another run from their impressive fullback. In the next phase, Taupiri scored out wide to lead 18-12.
O¯ haupo¯ then went close through powerful second-five Chris Ferguson who got held up close to the Taupiri line.
Taupiri then scored through a penalty to their fullback to take a 21-12 lead.
They were in control, spending long periods in the O¯ haupo¯ half.
With 25 minutes left, it looked like Ohaupo¯ ¯ were out of this one.
But through subs, firstly Alfie Broughton and Mark Nicolaas, they lifted their team with their strong ball carrying. Then add Liam Fox who added to the numbers they were getting to the breakdown.
O¯ haupo¯ earned a relieving penalty and charged into attack, and, when Ferguson forced his way over close to the posts and Dean Fullerton converted, O¯ haupo¯ were back in the contest.
O¯ haupo¯ then roared straight back on attack. After missing one penalty, right-foot kicker Dean Fullerton nailed the second one.
For the first time since late in the Taupiri ¯had their chance to steal first half, Ohaupo¯ took the lead. victory, not just once but twice missing¯penalties.
Ohaupo¯ hung on to steal a magnificent come-from-behind victory 22-21 —¯ a great tribute to Kite.
For Ohaupo¯ , loose forward Gerard Hesnip worked tirelessly while prop Liam Palaone always made metres with ball in hand.
In the backs, O¯ haupo¯ player of the day Bronson Wilson-Beech was outstanding.
He was accurate on defence and always a threat with ball in hand, using good footwork to consistently to get his team across the advantage line.
Young winger Caleb Kennedy ran strongly when the opportunities came his way, and used his speed several times to get his team out of trouble.
It was a great all-round squad effort by the O¯ haupo¯ side, to force their way back and to celebrate Kite’s contribution to his beloved club on a winning note.
After a break for Easter, both Ohaupo¯ ¯ sides will face Te Rapa on
April 23 at Ohaupo¯ ¯ Memorial Park.