As tough as expected

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It’s just kicking in now.

The Poverty Bay under-16s knew Hawke’s Bay would be tough, and so it proved. Hawke’s Bay won Saturday’s clash in Wairoa 31-12, having led 12-7 at halftime.

Poverty Bay’s first-half tryscorer was loosehead prop Edward Fili-Weti, with a conversion by first five-eighth Anaru Paenga-Morgan. Left wing Lyric Baty-Akurangi scored a try for Poverty Bay in the second half.

“It was a physical game but when we fired up early in the second half — as when (centre) Whetu King-Taufa hit them hard — we dominated,” Poverty Bay captain and openside flanker Amos Roddick said.

“Still, Hawke’s Bay are a solid squad, and their backs are slick.”

One of the slickest was Hawke’s Bay skipper and fullback Jayden Stok, who scored a double.

“At times it was fast, but there were also some stoppages,” said Stok, whose crew toughed out a cold, windy day on a wet Lambton Square track.

“Amos led them well in defence; they were in your face.”

Fili-Weti scored the first try of the game in the fourth minute of play. Paenga-Morgan’s conversion made the score 7-0 to Poverty Bay.

Right wing Bethel Malasia’s try in the 10th minute and the conversion by first five-eighth Hoera Stephenson made the score 7-7.

Poverty Bay’s King-Taufa then received a yellow card in his team’s 22, and Stok scored the first of his two tries just before the break for 12-7.

Hawke’s Bay second-five Adam Bibby, Stok and reserve right wing Toby Archer scored second-half tries. Stephenson converted Bibby’s try, with halfback Treyah Kingi-Taukamo converting Stok’s second effort.

Baty-Akurangi scored for Poverty Bay in the 55th minute.

Poverty Bay chose Roddick as their most valuable player, with Hawke’s Bay singling out King-Taufa and No.8 Henare Brooking as opponents worthy of mention.

“The boys should take a lot of self-belief out of that game,” Poverty Bay backs coach Miah Nikora said.

“It showed that they can match it with bigger unions.”

Despite the scoreline in Wairoa, Hawke’s Bay were not overjoyed.

“My boys were sore and very quiet on the bus ride home,” their head coach, Andy Green, said.

“Poverty Bay will beat Manawatu or Wellington if those teams take them lightly.”