Okaihau jolts Kaikohe
O¯ kaihau 19 Kaikohe 41 (HT 19-5): O¯ kaihau eventually went down in the Mid North derby — in one of two night games played under lights in round 8 of the North Zone senior club rugby championship on Friday night — but not without putting the frighteners on Kaikohe by leading at half time.
O¯ kaihau manager Clint ‘Chops’ Clayden said the hosts came out of the blocks firing.
“We scored a couple of tries, had a couple held up, lost it over the line. Kaikohe got their act together in the end, [were probably] taking us a bit lightly.”
Of proceedings, being Okaihau’s ¯ first night game under the newly installed floodlights, Chops said club officials couldn’t have been much happier.
“It was awesome. Heaps of people there. We are definitely looking forward to some more night games.”
Tries by Mike Davidson 2 (in his first game) and Dan Lavakeiaho with Rueben Pere converting two and halfback Damian Connelly named POTD (or POTN, perhaps, player of the night?).
Te Rarawa 31 Kaitaia 28 : It took until the final play for Rarawa to post a victory in the Mangonui derby — the other night game — courtesy of a last minute try by veteran Caleb Ewen. The match attracted another huge crowd to Ahipara, said Rarawa player/ coach Thomas Rogers. He said the homeside trailed throughout with Ewen’s match-winning try greeted by a huge roar from the home supporters.
“Our fitness just got on top of theirs in the end.”
Other Rarawa tries by Ra Thompson, Harlem Ruka and Beau Dickens (the 1st V also named back POTD) with Stew Jobe kicking three conversions and Mickey Murray picked as the forward POTD. Notable for the visitors were fullback Darryl Smith and No.8 Jordan Wikitera.
Awanui 41 Kaeo 15 (HT 15-10): Despite the two night games, the biggest focus of the round was this clash between the second and third-placed teams on the standings. While some may have felt the final result, while suggesting a gallant enough effort from the visitors, only served to distinguish the pacesetters — Awanui and Moerewa UK — from the rest of the field, Kaeo coach Paul Nathan said his side kept Awanui honest for the majority of the game, only trailing 22-15 with 10 minutes left.
Tries were by Quin Butler, Royce Sanderson, with Troy Hughes kicking a penalty and a conversion while No.8 Corey Dalley Takaia was the standout. Awanui management were unavailable for comment.
Moerewa United Kawakawa 72 O¯ tiria 5: O¯ tiria’s golden run has been bought to a grinding halt after meeting up with the two form teams of this year’s competition, Awanui the previous round, then the frontrunners in the Valley derby on Saturday.
In Rotorua attending a national development camp, O¯ tiria manager Te Rangi Allen said he was disappointed to hear O¯ tiria had struggled to fire a shot. “Players need to take ownership as they have been coached well. They need to start putting into action what they talk. We can not depend upon a handful to get us through, if so a top six finish is not deserved,” he said. O¯ tiria is now in a mustwin situation on a weekly basis to keep their play off hopes alive.
Panguru beat Ohaeawai ¯ default, and bye: Eastern.
■ Standings with three more rounds until play-offs begin on May 25: Kawakawa Moerewa (played 7, for 416/ against 103) 34 points, Awanui (7, 364/ 166) 32, Kaikohe (8, 180/ 94) 28, Kaeo (7, 340/ 164) 27, Eastern (7, 267/ 190) 22, O¯ tiria (7, 187/ 254) 20, Panguru (7, 173/ 173) 18, Te Rarawa (8, 155/ 317) 12, Kaitaia (7, 165/ 353) 8, O¯ haeawai (7, 120/ 323) 7, O¯ kaihau (8, 178/ 416) 7.
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