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Home / Bay of Plenty Times

League: Weedon fails to save Eels

By Stuart Whitaker
Bay of Plenty Times·
2 Aug, 2015 08:47 PM3 mins to read

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Otumoetai's Josh Tupou is up-ended by the Pacific Sharks defence. Photo / Andrew Warner

Otumoetai's Josh Tupou is up-ended by the Pacific Sharks defence. Photo / Andrew Warner

Josh Weedon's kicking game gave Pacific Sharks nightmares on Saturday, but it wasn't enough to pull a win out of the bag for Otumoetai Eels.

Saturday's clash was the final game of Bay of Plenty-Coastline regular season. The sides have now met three times this season and the Shark's 28-20 win gave them the edge, 2-1.

A straight forward first versus fourth and second against third playoff format sees Pacific at home to Pikiao and the Eels travelling to play Taupo Phoenix next Saturday.

And if they can win their sudden death game next weekend, the Eels can give themselves the chance to square the ledger.

"We showed some character and showed enough that, provided we get over the hurdle next week, we could take out a final," said Eels coach Len Reid.

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Tokoroa's Sharks took the lead early in the game through loose forward Brain Tukia, converted by Patariki Takiri, but the first half descended into a mistake-a-thon with both teams coughing up possession and conceding territory by giving away penalties.

Pacific finally found their way across the try line again close to half time through Justus Riki-Hauana, before a lifting tackle in front of the posts saw Weedon score the home team's first points in a largely forgettable half.

Ryan Gordon had gone closest to scoring an Eels' try, after Mike Johnston guided a Weedon kick into the winger's hands, only for the defence to get across and tackle him into touch.

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The Eels showed signs of a resurgence at the start of the second half with Weedon's boot to the fore.

A chip kick gathered by Conner Hohepa, who then fed Weedon, saw him score under the posts, the conversion creating a two point game.

A kick out wide again caused confusion with Ainsley Skudder pouncing to score, but only after Pacific had restored their half time eight-point lead when Yannis Mea cut the Eels apart with a strong run.

Two tries by hard running Sharks centre Tamatoa Karora-Reu gave the Sharks more safety, with substitute Willy Rutene finishing off the Eels scoring.

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While the game had no bearing on the play-offs, Reid was pleased with the response his team showed in the second half.

"We made a lot of mistakes, but overall, you're never happy to lose a game of football, but I can take a lot out of it."

One injury worry from Saturday's game is winger Gordon who limped early in the second half.

Eels reserves went down 26-20 to Pacific Sharks reserves. The two sides will meet again in the play-offs next Saturday.

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