Greerton narrowly escaped with victory against a powerful and aggressive Arataki side in round two of the Baywide Premier competition.
Trailing by a solitary point and with the 80 minutes up, Arataki goal kicker John Collier carefully placed the ball on the tee.
With a penalty about 30m out and 10m in from the sideline, it was Collier's hero or zero moment. Unfortunately for him, and the passionate Arataki homecrowd, it was not to be as his kick hooked to the left of the posts.
Greerton collected the ball and kicked it out of play to secure a narrow 22-21 victory at Arataki Park.
With no bonus points on offer for losing by seven points or less this season, the result means Arataki remain on zero competition points. However, they have done enough in the opening two rounds to suggest they cannot be taken likely this season.
Arataki are a powerful side full of aggression and they started the game as if they had a point to prove, lining up some big hits and leaving Greerton a little shell shocked.
Ten minutes in to the first half it was Arataki who opened the scoring. After several phases inside the Greerton 22m they shifted the ball left where winger Samisone Kuli found himself in some space and steamrolled his opposite number to dot down in the corner. The try was converted and they led 7-0.
Greerton warmed into the contest and it turned into a real arm wrestle. While Greerton had much of the possession and territory, thanks largely to ill discipline from the home side, Arataki were monstrous in defence, countering wave after wave of attack.
Greerton's Ryan Abbott makes a run against Arataki. Photo / Andrew Warner
Finally, 27 minutes into the half, Greerton found a crack in the defensive line with a textbook play. They had a lineout 5m from the try line which they claimed and set a maul. Once the maul went down they shifted the ball left where ever-dangerous fullback Pierre Pili raced through a gap to score. The try was unconverted so Greerton trailed 7-5, which is how the score remained at halftime.
Arataki started the second half just like the first; with power and intent. Within the opening minutes of the half they were in for their second try as lock Peni Vea crashed over from close range on the back of some skilful build-up play by the backs. The try was converted and Arataki led 14-5.
Minutes later, Greerton hit back. Winger Kody McGovern had been the best attacking player on the field throughout the match and he was rewarded with a try when he received the ball on the wing and left a couple of defenders for dead on his way to the try line, reducing the deficit to 14-10.
It was a physical game and the two sides spent the next 20 minutes belting each other in an effort to assert dominance. Twenty-seven minutes into the second half Greerton took the lead for the first time, a converted try making it 17-14.
Arataki's Solomahe Fangatua makes a rampaging run. Photo / Andrew Warner
The intensity continued to rise as the clock ticked down. Arataki showed they were not going down without a fight when they regained the lead through a converted try to Nic Haledezos who galloped through several tackles on his way to the line. The try was converted and Arataki led 21-14.
The game had really come to life and with five minutes left to play Greerton were in again. After a rampaging move up the middle of the field, into the Arataki 22m, they shifted the ball left where one of the reserve forwards was able to stroll over and score the match-winner.
With Greerton leading 22-21, it all came down to that crucial kick at goal in the final seconds for Arataki, but it was not to be.
Baywide Rugby Results
Premier Te Puke 48 v Tauranga Sports 10 Arataki 21 v Greerton Marist 22 Rangataua 24 v Rangiuru 27 Te Teko 24 v Rotoiti 29 Opotiki 10 v Whakarewarewa 53 Mount Maunganui 8 v Te Puna 46
Premier Development Te Puke 25 v Tauranga Sports 12 Arataki 10 v Greerton Marist 20 Rangataua 71 v Rangiuru 22 Te Teko 32 v Rotoiti 22 Opotiki 17 v Whakarewarewa 7 Mount Maunganui 16 v Te Puna 32
Division 1 Reporoa 10 v Kahukura 29 Ngongotaha 18 v Waikite 5 Paroa 50 v Poroporo 6 Murupara 34 v Judea 7 Marist St Michael's 54 v Whakatane Marist 0 Papamoa 8 v Ruatoki 26
