BOI crush all comers to retain cup
The Bay of Islands successfully defended the Taniwha Cup by beating Whanga¯rei Grizzlies 24-0 in the final at Kaikohe on Saturday.
The path to the title also included a 96-0 trouncing of Northern Wairoa during Friday’s play offs, a 51-10 win over hosts Hokianga on day three last Thursday, another massive 91-5 win over Whanga¯rei Bears on day two, Wednesday, and a 62-7 hiding of Mangonui on the first day last Tuesday.
Coach Mark Anderson said there was a combination of factors which allowed the side to crush all comers in this year’s campaign, after finishing the tournament with an aggregate of 320 points for/ 22 against.
“We had a good bunch of kids, a good contingent of players from last year, we were fairly well organised, some kids with some really quality skill sets too and three or so players who were literally outstanding.”
However, he did admit to concerns about the dwindling numbers shown by some of the other Taniwha Shield teams.
“Northland rugby needs to be pro-active about addressing player shortage in some of the sub unions. Push is coming to shove in that aspect of this [Taniwha Shield].”
On behalf of the organisers, Northland Junior Council chairperson Kylie Harper felt this year’s tournament was a major success overall particularly in terms of ‘sideline refereeing’.
“The crowd was good, the teams were good, the management was good. There was no anger, the behaviour [from supporters] was actually impeccable.”
■ The Bay of Islands Taniwha Shield winning team featured Isaac Ngawati, Hoani Reid, Grayson Black, Ngahoro Timoti, Fale Veainu, Locke Fielding, Kauri Ngawati, Chad Pere-Koro, Raven Tipene, Rangiwai Lunjevich, William Epima, Jamal Enwright, Tyler Ngawati, Pomare Schultz, Nicholas Taylor, Travis Rickus, Hunter Scott, Iggy RoseYon, John Brantey, Nikau Donnelly, Kamera Harris, Jake Couling, Austin Heaps and Trinity Rule; coaches: Mark Anderson, Sam Brown and Wayne Lunjevich, and manager Trudy Black.