Setting records for Bowers Cup
Each and every member of this year’s triumphant Te Awamutu Bowers Cup U45kg representative rugby team covered themselves in glory.
Not only did Te Awamutu go through the entire competition unbeaten, they were awarded the Referee’s Sportsmanship Trophy, judged by all the referees over the entire tournament.
Under the astute coaching of Pou Collett and Tim Fairgray and team manager Renee Collett, the 2019 Bowers Cup champions played eight games for seven wins and a draw, scoring 195 points and conceding 39 — testament to the team’s outstanding defence.
On finals day at Campbell Park, Morrinsville, Te Awamutu beat the Eastern Reds 39-0 to end the round-robin as top qualifiers for the final against Eastern Whites.
This match was won 17-10 in extra time by Te Awamutu after the match was drawn 10-10 at fulltime.
Eastern Whites opened the scoring early in the first half with an unconverted try to lead 5-0.
Te Awamutu, with the wind at their backs, replied with an unconverted try to Ruben Kasper midway into the first half.
William Yeeles gave Te Awamutu the lead, 10-5, when he dotted down for a try just before halftime.
Eastern Whites, now running down wind, used the elements to their advantage scoring the only points in the second half, another unconverted try to force the game into five minutes each way extra time.
Te Awamutu scored the only points in extra time with a brilliant match-winning try to Miller Fairgray, converted by Jaoquin Burke.
The team’s defence throughout the round-robin competition, final and extra time was outstanding.
The coaching staff and manager did an amazing job with this group, resulting possibly the first win for the Te Awamutu Sub Union side in 35 years.