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OBM senior one coach Clint Pirihi’s new-look side are one win away from bragging rights in the clubrooms after their premier team lost last week’s Lee Bros Shield semifinal against Waikohu.
OBM play Ngatapa in the senior one final, the curtain-raiser at Rugby Park tomorrow.
Last year, OBM were unable to field a senior one team. This year, Enterprise Cars OBM player-coach Pirihi has rebuilt the side under the leadership of captain Dayne Williams. They’re a combination of “old heads and young blood”.
“The boys have come together through some trying circumstances to make it to the final,” manager Nathan Gilroy said.
“With Clint leading the charge in January we started to form a well-rounded team with potential.
“The first round was good for us to get a feel for our team and build structure. The early standout players were Semisi Maumau, Reeftahn Brown-Terekia and what I would call our core forwards — Michael Williams (vice-captain), Ben Akuhata-Brown and Dayne Williams.”
The highlight of the second round was a 37-all draw with YMP, the team OBM defeated in last week’s semifinal.
“We played for the Johnny Matenga Memorial trophy in the draw, then won it when we beat YMP last week,” Gilroy said.
“It’s up for grabs every time the two clubs’ senior one teams meet.”
OBM started slowly in the semifinal and were 6-0 down when Matt Brown took a quick tap and Maumau scored between the posts. Brown converted.
Maumau added a second to give OBM a 12-6 lead at halftime.
OBM were forced to defend for long periods in the second half as YMP launched wave after wave of attacks before they scored an unconverted try and added a penalty to lead 14-12.
A penalty to Matt Brown put OBM ahead and they held on to book a spot in the final.
“It was good to make the final, and to take home our taonga for Johnny.”
Harvest Transport Ngatapa sealed their place in the final with a hard-fought 10-5 win against Nuhaka.
“We had big numbers attending the first few training sessions,” coach Heith Hawea said.
“The numbers dropped off slightly and became a bit erratic, but picked up again as the season passed the halfway point.
“We had a game plan we stuck to and practised every week. That’s what got us to this stage.
“With a large squad, the most difficult part of the season was having to select the 22 players to contest the final.
“We’re excited and confident that we have the team and the game plan to finish the competition on top.”
Hawea said the most enthusiastic and committed player, Paaka Babbington, was still learning his trade at halfback but had grown into a good leader behind a solid forward pack.
In that pack is livewire Antonio-Joe Barbarich-Waikari, who has caught the eye of the prems.
“Tom Holden has been a revelation,” Hawea said.
“He’s a versatile player and has given our backline good direction and confidence to attack at the right moments from either 9, 10 or 12.”