“We had some big runs from (blindside flanker) Michael McClutchie and (second five-eighth) Solomani Rasari.”
Waikohu put in another strong showing. They meant business right out of the gate and never let up. In the fourth minute, winger KC Wilson scored the first of his two tries. He went over in the corner after quick hands through the backs on the blindside 10 metres out from the tryline.
Openside flanker Kupu Lloyd also picked up a double.
Pirates fronted up and ran hard. They did not shy away from hit-ups.
Pirates managed to get down the field and into the Waikohu half, setting up camp and creating pressure with the forwards gaining momentum towards the line.
After fighting hard and earning two penalties, they gained another and took it quickly, catching the defence off-guard. They sent the ball through the hands to the other side of the field and second-five Niue Niue scored in the corner in the 29th minute. Halfback CJ Fox converted from wide out.
Waikohu reacted by taking control of the match. They continued to use their skills and championship experience to create opportunities and capitalise on them.
Lloyd scored the first try of his double to help Waikohu end the half strong.
Waikohu continued to press in the second half, scoring six more tries, but Pirates never gave up.
In the 74th minute, they were rewarded.
Thinking and acting fast, Pirates made the ball do the work as they shifted it through the hands. It ended up with second-five Niue Niue, who found a gap and darted through to give his side something more from a hard-fought battle.
Waikohu skipper and halfback Mario Counsel said it was awesome to see that Pirates were able to put a team together. He knew they would have been disappointed with last week's default.
He was happy with how Waikohu performed.
“Toru Noanoa was definitely a beast on Saturday,” he said.
“Geoff Pari, Kupu Lloyd, KC Wilson and Moses Christie on the outside edges were also strong.”
