His goal-kicking was critical against the Frank Taiapa-led Matakaoa, who were steered around Uawa Domain by former Southland NPC first-five Richard Apanui (two conversions).
Apanui, No.8 Taiapa and right-winger Sean Murtagh scored tries. The 37-year-old Apanui has always possessed a huge right boot — his line-kicking kept Matakaoa’s ferocious challenge on the front foot and his long pass stretched Uawa’s cover defence to breaking point.
The scrum contest was even, and at lineout time Matakaoa were well served by Taiapa and wiry openside flanker Matarawi Ngata.
Jones opened the scoring with a try five metres in from the right corner six minutes into the game, off a super inside pass from Smith, who received the ball from Uawa lock Juston Allen.
Allen’s locking partner, Reg Namana, had earlier turned defence into attack by getting between Apanui and prop Yohannes Akapetu inside Matakaoa’s 22. Blindside flanker Hayden Pardoe, first-five Tane McGuire and halfback Chris Richardson all handled in the build-up.
Smith converted for 7-0. From the outset, his artful kicking game kept the visitors guessing, while Apanui’s ability to use the south-easterly breeze made for a fascinating contrast.
At the 11-minute mark, the Coast’s longest-serving active official, Chris Wanoa, penalised Uawa and the reaction from captain and fullback BJ Sidney cost the home team a further 10 metres. Play was now in the 22, on the left side of the ground. Apanui opted to tap the ball and run. Uawa prop Laman Davies then made contact with him and received a yellow card for trying to slow down the game. Before Davies could return, veteran halfback Keith Henderson and Apanui combined to make a try for Murtagh.
From a scrum 15 metres in from the left sideline, 10 metres out from halfway, Henderson found Apanui to his right on the move. Apanui cut out Israel Brown and Whaimotu Craft-Chemis in the midfield, finding fullback Whakarae Henare, who got a pass to Murtagh.
Uawa centre Te Peehi Fairlie then scragged Murtagh but Apanui and Henderson kept the ball alive for Murtagh to score.
From the restart, Matakaoa blindside flanker Hone Haerewa was penalised for shepherding and in the 23rd minute Smith kicked a penalty from the middle of the pitch, 30 metres out from the posts, for a halftime score of 10-5.
Ten minutes into the second half, Matakaoa were ruled off-side and Smith kicked the penalty from five metres inside the 22, straight out in front, for 13-5.
From the restart, Wanoa played excellent advantage in favour of Uawa, who ran the ball from inside their own 22 through hooker Kareti Palmer, then through Richardson and Pardoe to Sidney, who stood in the tackle of Matakaoa’s Ryan Buchanan and found Smith in support for the try. Smith converted for 20-5.
In the 60th minute, Matakaoa MVP Taiapa scored what looked to be the simplest of tries, coming off the back of a scrum five metres out from Uawa’s goal-line, three metres to the right of the posts. Apanui converted for 20-12.
Five minutes later, Smith kicked his third penalty for 23-12, McGuire having been taken high inside Matakaoa’s 22 in front of goal.
From the base of a ruck two metres out from Uawa’s line, five metres to the right of the posts, Haerewa gave a great pass to Apanui on the fly. The big first-five then converted his own try for 23-19.
Smith missed a kick at goal, a penalty from 25 metres out in centrefield, in the 75th minute but made no mistake when given another opportunity three minutes later, from the 22 mid-pitch, for 26-19.
Henderson came desperately close to scoring at the other end on fulltime.
No complaints were heard from Matakaoa coach Morgan Waitoa, the Ngati Porou East Coast centurion (115 caps) who began his Barry Cup playing career on the reserves bench in 1977. He remembers “Barry Cup fever” drawing people to Te Araroa Domain in droves and bringing the Hicks Bay and Te Araroa communities together.
“They (Uawa) won the Barry Cup from us at Te Araroa Domain, and this is the second time we’ve come here to get it back,” Waitoa said.
“It was a good challenge. Both teams played with passion and commitment. Any coach would be happy if his team played like that.”
His opposite, Uawa’s Tip Nukunuku, said: “Every challenge has been difficult but that was another level in terms of physicality. To hold the Barry Cup for a third season means a lot to all of us.”
BJ Sidney, who chose his moments to inject the game with flair, said: “Just to be a part of Uawa is something special. We know what Richard’s boot can do, so our back row tried to pressure him as much and as often as possible. We kept our composure.”
Matakaoa’s Taiapa said: “Uawa are worthy holders and great champions. The Barry Cup means so much to us because when we play for that, we’re playing for our fathers and our grandfathers.”
Apanui, who played his first game in two years on Sunday, said: “I’ve come full circle in rugby now. I started off playing against Eli Manuel — the Coast’s leading points-scorer (406) — and now I’m playing with the next generation. Congratulations to Uawa. They’ve brought mana to the Barry Cup.”
UAWA 26 (Tipi Jones, Kelvin Smith tries; Smith 4 pen, 2 con).
MATAKAOA 19 (Sean Murtagh, Frank Taiapa, Richard Apanui tries; Apanui 2 con).
HT: 10-5 (Uawa).
