Dylan Townsend of Otumoetai College runs with the ball. Photo / Joel Ford
Dylan Townsend of Otumoetai College runs with the ball. Photo / Joel Ford
Otumoetai College First XV's record-breaking season finally came to an end when they were defeated 33-13 by Manurewa High School at Otumoetai yesterday.
After going through the whole season in the Baywide division one competition undefeated, Otumoetai knew the playoff game against Manurewa, to find the team to represent theChiefs at next month's Top Four Co-ed national finals, was going to be a massive step up.
And so it proved, as the size and intensity of the visitors was at a level the Otumoetai boys had not yet come up against this season.
However, throughout the game their commitment in the tackle and refusal to give in was testament to the team culture that has been built since most of the boys were in the school's under-14 team together.
But that can only go so far and after leading at halftime, Otumoetai were blown away by Manurewa's impressive counter attacking and unstoppable bulk driving for the line.
Manurewa jumped out to a 12-3 lead midway through the first half but Otumoetai came back strongly with the outstanding 8, 9 and 10 axis of Tukuora Ngawhika, Ryan Brown and Keegan Long in top form.
Ngawhika powered over for a try and Long kicked the goals to give Otumoetai an unexpected 13-12 lead at halftime. But the momentum shifted straight from the restart after Otumoetai dropped the kick-off, allowing Manurewa to put pressure on the defence, which finally broke.
The tough south Aucklanders added another try shortly afterwards to jump out to a 26-13 lead that proved too much for the gutsy home team to overcome.
Otumoetai tried their best but apart from some typical barnstorming runs from No8 Ngawhika, they struggled to get over the advantage line.
The game was essentially finished off with 15 minutes left when Manurewa scored the try of the match after a counter attack from 65 metres out.
Down 33-13 but with an extra man after Manurewa lost a player to the sin bin for a second high shot, Otumoetai finished on top and went close on two occasions before the North Harbour referee called time on proceedings.
Watching among the good sized crowd were members of the Tauranga Boys' First XV, ahead of their Top Four finals playoff against Hamilton Boys' in front of the Rugby Channel cameras at Nicholson Field on Sunday.
Otumoetai College 13 (Tukuora Ngawhika try; Keegan Long con, 2 pens) Manurewa High School 33 Halftime: 13-12 Otumoetai.
