Tauranga Otumoetai Eels denied crucial win

BIG DEFENCE: Otumoetai Eels' Danny Tonga is tackled. PHOTO/FILE A_110616aw17BOP

Taniwharau have booked their semifinals spot in the WaiCoaBay club competition after pulling off a stunning 28-26 comeback win over the Otumoetai Eels in Huntly on Saturday.

Down by 20 points with 20 minutes left, the hosts at Davies Park put on four late tries to have the Eels leaving dumbfounded, with captain Josh Weeden missing a last-minute penalty attempt to draw the game.

With the wind at their backs in the first half, the Eels raced out of the blocks, as Taniwharau lost possession on their first set. Weeden gave a nice short ball and centre Mark Ballantyne ran a lovely hard line to open the scoring.

Eels hooker Tane Leef got easily out of dummy half to score and when Ballantyne latched onto a grubber to nab a double, the Eels were right in control, with the experienced Weeden pulling all the strings. Right on halftime centre George Pouwhare looked to have scored but it was rules out by the officials.

The Eels players couldn't believe the call but they led 20-6 at the break.

Eels fullback Shay Stevens crossed after the break and with Weeden's great sideline conversion it was 26-6.

Taniwharu stormed back to close the gap to 26-24 with nine minutes left. A 40/20 gave them another chance and they scored in the corner to take the lead for the first time.

There was more drama to come with the Eels going for a short restart, but Taniwharau penalised for stopping it going 10 metres. The penalty was given 40 metres out and with the chance to tie the game, Weeden, who was five from five, dragged his shot left to end a dramatic afternoon.

There is just one semifinal spot still up for grabs with the Eels and the Taupo Phoenix - who went down 26-18 to the Hamilton City Tigers at Taupo's Hickling Park - the contenders.

The Pacific Sharks, who still have a couple of catchup games to play beat Turangawaewae 20-0 at Ngaruawahia's Paterson Park to keep them on track for a home semifinal, while United look to have got clear of the wooden spoon with a 32-22 win over the Pikiao Warriors at Rotorua's Puketawhero Park.

The Eels reserves lost in similar fashion to the premiers in their game against Taniwharau 32-26 after surrendering the lead.

Results

WaiCoa Bay Premier competition, round 16

Taniwharau 28 Otumoetai Eels 26

Hamilton City Tigers 26 Taupo Phoenix 18

United 32 Pikiao Warriors 22

Pacific Sharks 20 Turangawaewae 0