A mighty battle

MATCH-WINNER: Prop Semisi Akana scores the final and match-winning try for Poverty Bay in their compelling clash with Ngati Porou East Coast at Rugby Park on Saturday. Poverty Bay won 24-20. Picture by Paul Rickard

Poverty Bay had just enough class and commitment to defeat Ngati Porou East Coast but it was a mighty battle at Rugby Park.

Rugby fans — many of them Coast supporters — were treated to a classic contest in Gisborne on Saturday and the home team had to work hard for their 24-20 victory.

Poverty Bay’s defence and their ability to pilfer lineout ball were key factors in their win.

Otherwise, the battle looked even.

The action started before kick-off with a mesmerising haka by the two teams. Ngati Porou advanced over halfway and Poverty Bay came up to meet them.

The most eye-catching performances in the match came from the players wearing sky blue.

Mitchell Crosswell was magnificent at No.8 for NPEC and captain Hone Haerewa, playing at lock, was inspirational. Zac Guildford was a class act at centre and BJ Sidney looked dangerous on the right wing.

The Bay had their own strong performers, including blindside flanker Quade Tapsell, lock Gabe Te Kani and left wing Matt Raleigh.

Beaudein Waaka showcased a silky passing game at first five-eighth and he scored a converted try to get the Bay back on track when they had been trailing 17-10.

The win for Contract Consultants Poverty Bay came with a bonus point for scoring four tries, putting them back into the top eight in the Heartland Championship.

If they win this week against Buller at Westport, they will probably earn themselves a home semifinal in the Lochore Cup, which is for the teams ranked fifth to eighth.

Ngati Porou East Coast — who remain winless in the championship this year but who have gone close in several games — were again left with a series of what-ifs.

What if Guildford did not pull a hamstring?

What if Poverty Bay captain Ken Houkamau did not grab an intercept when the Coast were on the charge?

Poverty Bay had their own hairy moments.

They had a series of penalties midway through the first half and didn’t turn the pressure into points.

They might also have levelled the game up at 20-all with 12 minutes to play but, instead of knocking over a penalty goal from in front, they opted for a scrum and then conceded a penalty.

However, the forwards crashed over for tries towards the end of both halves and the Bay held on for the win, retaining the Anaru “Skip” Paenga Memorial Trophy.

Poverty Bay coach Tom Cairns admired what the Coast brought to the contest and said both teams fought hard.

He used his bench fairly early because it was a warm day, and he felt his substitutes brought a change in momentum.

Ngati Porou East Coast coach Wayne Ensor said he was proud of his team’s effort but getting another narrow loss was hard to take.

Ensor praised Crosswell’s performance and said having Guildford in the side this year was fantastic.

Poverty Bay scored the opening try after eight minutes, when Raleigh danced through a gap that didn’t appear to exist.

NPEC replied quickly with a try to Haerewa.

Just before halftime, Coast halfback Sam Parkes was sin-binned for a professional foul and a lineout drive led to a try for Poverty Bay hooker Rikki Terekia.

Poverty Bay led 10-5 at the break but the Coast soon turned that on its head. Fullback Verdon Bartlett cruised in for a try and left wing Epeli Lotawa scored four minutes later.

Waaka sliced through for Poverty Bay for his try 18 minutes into the second half but a Parkes penalty goal from nearly 40 metres out put the Coast ahead 20-17.

With seven minutes to play, Poverty Bay replacement prop Semisi Akana rumbled over for a try and the Bay then withstood the Coast’s final waves of attack.

The captains of both teams said it was a great game to be a part of.

Haerewa said the result hurt and the Coast might have got there if they had been more composed towards the end.

He said they sometimes had their opponents on the back foot but the Bay closed out the game well.

Houkamau said NPEC put up a huge performance.

Poverty Bay decided to go for the try — rather than kick a penalty goal when they were down 20-17 — because they wanted a bonus point for scoring four tries, he said.

It was a gamble but it worked out in the end.

Guildford said he was disappointed the Coast had so far fallen short of getting a win in the championship this season but he planned to support them in their final match, which is against North Otago at Ruatoria this Saturday.

Midway through the second half, he knew straight away his right hamstring was gone.

The former All Black said he had enjoyed his time with Ngati Porou East Coast.

“I met a lot of great people.”

POVERTY BAY 24 (Matt Raleigh, Rikki Terekia, Beaudein Waaka, Semisi Akana tries; Waaka 2 con) NGATI POROU EAST COAST 20 (Hone Haerewa, Verdon Bartlett, Epeli Lotawa tries; Sam Parkes pen, Haerewa con). HT: 10-5 (Poverty Bay)