Otumoetai Eels Josh Tupou is tackled against Ngaruawahia. Photo/Andrew Warner
Otumoetai Eels Josh Tupou is tackled against Ngaruawahia. Photo/Andrew Warner
The Otumoetai Eels dominated from start to finish against the Ngaruawahia Panthers at Mitchell Park on Saturday.
The opening whistle - following a last gasp 30-26 win to the hosts in reserve grade - brought a juggle and forward pass in the in-goal by the Panthers.
The closing whistle accompaniedthe last of the Eels' six tries, ensuring the home side escaped a tough early season draw with a 2-1 record.
The first try came on the second set of the match courtesy of stand-off Josh Weedon.
A midfield scrum fed slick hands down the right, with Josh Tupou strolling across from close range to make it 4-0. The ease of the first try led the Eels to continue their attack on the Panthers' left edge, which brought instant reward.
Quick hands from inside their own half sent Harry Kapi free down the touchline, before the diminutive but combative centre jammed inside the fullback to score in a handy position to set up a 10-0 lead.
Kapi scored his second soon after as the Eels continued to feed the outsides after shaping to the inside.
The 14-0 margin grew to 20-0 at the break courtesy of the first of Ainsley Skudder's two tries; just reward for the Eels pushing the ball to the outside of a compressed Panthers defensive line on an early tackle.
Mikaere October showed his worth with a beautiful run from dummy half - featuring a number of body swerves and dummies - to open the scoring in the second half, ushering in a long period on defence for the home side.
They relented only once, through a try from hulking back-rower Lea Fangufangu, but in large part the Eels defence was impressive in terms of both line speed and aggression.
Skudder's second, coming from a ricocheted Weedon grubber 10 metres out, gave the good-sized home crowd one last reason to cheer on a picturesque day at the Otumoetai outdoor amphitheatre.
Otumoetai Eels 32 (Ainsley Skudder 2, Harry Kapi 2, Josh Tupou, Mikaere October tries; Josh Weedon 3 cons, Detroit Paki) Ngaruawahia Panthers 6 (Lea Fangufangu try; Jonty McBeth con)
