League: Eels repulse a tough Ngongotaha

Otumoetai Eels player Phil Johnston, right, takes the ball up in the tackle of Ngongotaha's Joshua Taylor at Mitchell Park last weekend. Photo / Andrew warner

In the newly combined BOP-Coastline competition, Imperial Trading Ltd Otumoetai Eels Premiers repulsed another tough opposition in Ngongotaha Chiefs by 12-10 at their hallowed Mitchell Park fortress last weekend to make it two wins from two.

With an 8-6 lead at halftime, the rainy conditions dictated the nature of the match and both teams adapted admirably with the ball retention at a high percentage.

Ngongotaha managed to go ahead 10-8 but then Eels' super boot and star playmaking-halfback Connor Hohepa put a penalty between the posts to even the score with a little more than 10 minutes left on the clock.

It became a battle of attrition to see who could get best field position for a drop goal. Hohepa managed to sneak a 40/20 kick and with the next play he slotted the winning field goal. He then repeated the effort with two minutes to go knowing Ngongotaha's kickoff at halfway would give the Eels the ball to play their set out and end the game. And that's exactly what happened.

For the Eels, the forward pack was once again led by evergreen loosie Willie Rutene and second row forward/prop Phil Johnston. Hohepa again showed his class and calmness under pressure to score all 12 points for the Eels.

In other premier matches Pacific Sharks gave Taupo Phoenix their second loss in two weeks downing them 22-6, while Pikiao won a tough battle over visitors Mangakino in winning 36-22 in Rotorua.

The Putauaki Stags withheld a strong comeback in the second half to beat home team Papamoa Bulldogs 38-24 after leading 30-6 at the break in the division one grade. Papamoa, led by their coach Joel Tyler, put the Stags under immense pressure to score 18 points in the second half. Captain and centre Zachan Herewini was everywhere for the Stags in martialling his troops to hold their defences.

In other division one matches Whakatane/Taneatua Warriors defeated Putaruru Dragons 38-10 in Taneatua while Forestland Falcons thrashed Tauhara from Taupo 36-0.

Tomorrow's draws:
Premiers: Otumoetai Eels away to Mangakino, Pacific host Pikiao in Tokoroa, Taupo away to Ngongotaha.

Division 1: Papamoa away to Putaruru, Putauaki away to Forestland in Tokoroa, Whakatane/Taneatua away to Tauhara in Taupo.