Bare bone Bombers shot down over Kaikohe
Ngati Kahu Sea Hawks 34 Aupouri Repo 46: The Repo emerged victorious over the competition’s current cellar dwellers in round 4 of the 2018 Taitokerau Rugby League Premiership on Saturday at Moerewa’s Simson Park on Saturday.
Coach Lance Taylor — who also played — was disappointed overall in his team’s performance, describing it as being of a Jekyll and Hyde nature compared with the effort against the Mavericks last week.
“We struggled . . . Almost like the boys had jetlag,” he said, adding the visitors didn’t aid their own cause by arriving late or not at all. “All the boys were at training [last week], just forget to get in the car . . . Both teams weren’t that interested in defence,” he said.
Taylor also praised the Sea Hawks and predicted they had the potential to develop into a decent side.
“This whole competition, it’s on the day, you just can’t pick it.” Standouts included Repo centre Jayde Kaaka, and also the officials. “Got to give it to the TRL for sending these refs up from Auckland.”
Kaikohe Lions 62 Waipapakauri Bombers 6: Last year’s grand finalists recorded their second big win in two weeks, this time laying waste to a Bombers unit who could only manage a skeleton crew for the trip south.
Kaikohe manager Ken Paki Edwards said the Lions were gaining momentum and put much of the credit for that at the feet of new coach Adam Tahere.
“He is making a big difference, trying different things. Boys are doing a bit of gym work, new guys in, team bonding, so far so good.”
He also paid tribute to the Bombers for turning up with the bare 13 including one who dislocated his finger but played on, while another with a broken hand also pulled on a jersey.
“Full credit to Tyson Jobe and Sandy Hepi, I take my hat off to them.”
Standouts included Willie Johnson as forward POTD, “carving up up the middle,” and stand-off Shontain Tau.
Te Hiku o te Ika Mavericks 52 Kerikeri Makos 16 (HT 40-0): The Mavericks recorded another big win, although analysis of the half and full time scores shows most of the damage was done in the opening 40.
Mavericks Connor O’Sullivan — who scored and was afterwards named his side’s POTD — said an injury to a key player and an unnecessarily high infringement rate slowed the Kaitaia unit down in the second half. The Makos took advantage and scored three consolation tries off three penalties late in the piece.
Tries by Isaac Ashley 3, Sean Windleborn Rawiri 2, Xavier Lasike and Hayden Lloyd. O’Sullivan noted the team continued to attract new players but was still trying to get the combinations right.
The fixture was reversed and played in Kerikeri as the the A&P Showgrounds was hosting an equestrian event.
United Valley Crushers 28 Pawarenga Broncos 12: Crushers spokesman Dion Akuhata said this was a “tough game” at Taheke Stadium.
“Pawarenga gave us a run for our money, had a good squad. Took us right to the end to finally get on top of them, with us all the way. Both teams were in the same position, both needed to win. They came out to play but we held on, had to play our get-out-of-jail free card in this one.”
Akuhata said everyone played well but singled out for praise were stand-off Haylin Rogers, Iraia Paerou with the top tackle count, and Horo Rata named best forward POTD another delivering “another brutal game”.
Ngati Kahu Sharks 46 Taiamai Taniwha 14: The visitors drew first blood before the homeside bounced back to emerge convincing winners at home.
■ STANDINGS (unconfirmed): Sharks 8, Mavericks 6, Lions 6, Crushers 4, Repo 4, Taniwha 3, Broncos 3, Bombers 2, Sea Hawks 0.