Hilarity struck in two parts from the 27th minute: first, Reeves took a tap penalty kick 25m from the visitors’ posts and was allowed to jog untouched down the middle to score (33-5 — no addition). In the 30th minute, at a scrum packed 5m short of halfway, centrefield, Waikohu were awarded a penalty by Poverty Bay referee Oliver Holst. Reeves found Tauatevalu on his right and the fullback beat seven men inside and out to score for 38-5 — soon thereafter 40-5, courtesy Reeves. One minute later, the Waikohu pack (10m into their own territory, mid-pitch) won a scrum penalty — even as Ruatoria coach Lisa Muller called on her own forwards to “Turn! Turn!”, Tauatevalu sped off to complete his hat-trick. Reeves’ conversion made the score 47-5 at the break.
The second half saw Waikohu reserve halfback Rawiri Broughton score two tries, a double for right-wing KC Wilson (whose 30m burst down the right touch to dot down in the 52nd minute brought close to 1000 to their feet at 73-5). The last try of the day was scored by blindside flanker Hayden Rutene, one of a number in Waikohu’s ranks who contribute muscle in the forward exchanges and tackle hard; rugby’s unsung heroes.
By mutual consent of the holders (captain hooker Geoff Pari) and the challengers skippered by Fox-Campbell, Holst blew full-time after 70 minutes of play. Ruatoria openside flanker Tanetoa Parata’s brilliant tackle on Reeves at the 13th minute of play, Waikohu second-five Kelvin Smith’s footwork, Broughton’s continued toughness in defence (though the likes of Ruatoria reserve tighthead prop Henry Hauraki never took a backward step to him) speaks to the keenness of players for Barry Cup rugby.
The atmosphere of a day which involved netball and junior rugby was sensational and the condition of the ground for play in both the rugby under 11s “curtain-raiser” — Te Teko 39, Waikohu 10 for the Te Maipi Whanau Trophy — and the Barry Cup challenge was equally good.
Fox-Campbell was pleased with his forwards — in particular their effort at scrum-time — while Pari acknowledged that his team had played within and respected their own structure.
“This was a tough game, physically, and there are games just as tough coming up,” said Waikohu coach Jason Tuapawa.
“It’s hard work to select this team at the moment: all 24 who wore the Waikohu jersey today played well and others will be at training with them this week — and they also want to play next Sunday.”
n Kick-off in Game 2 of the Barry Cup season — Waikohu v Ngatapa at Te Karaka Domain this Sunday, August 10 — is at 2.30pm.
