Chasers closing in on Tamatea

ON THE CHARGE: Ngatapa openside flanker Paddy Allen prepares to take on High School Old Boys halfback Andrew Knight in a premier rugby game. Picture by Paul Rickard

YMP skipper and No.8 Willis Tamatea still leads the Most Valuable Player (MVP) rankings in Poverty Bay premier rugby despite missing Saturday’s premier match against Ngatapa.

Tamatea injured his knee playing for LeaderBrand Poverty Bay in the Queen’s Birthday Weekend clash against Ngati Porou East Coast.

Meanwhile, Larsawn Ngatapa livewire loosie Paddy Allen and Kevin Hollis Glass Pirates halfback CJ Fox took advantage to close the gap in the race for the Most Valuable Player award, and the $1000 that goes along with the trophy.

Allen picked up two points in Ngatapa’s 36-8 win against YMP, while Fox collected two points for his efforts in a 44-28 loss to Aon Waikohu.

Tamatea has 17 points after 10 rounds, followed by Allen and Fox, both on 12.

“Paddy is a crucial member of our team,” said Ngatapa coach Will Faulks, whose side will be chasing their sixth successive win when they play the first game in the third and final round, against Pirates on Saturday.

One of the senior players“He is now one of our senior players,” Faulks said.

“He’s been a member of the premier squad for five years and is closing in on his 50th game. Only three to go. He can play lock or any of the loose forward positions.

“Paddy is one of those guys who doesn’t necessarily say a lot but does a tremendous amount of work during a game, which often isn’t noticed.

“He’s a great lineout forward, he has excellent skills and is really fit. He reads a game well and is always in the thick of things.

“He had some seasons hampered by injury, so it is great that he has been able to start every game since the second round. That has contributed to his standing in the MVP competition.”

Fox has been a model of consistency in the past two seasons while playing behind a pack that has lacked the all-round quality of previous Pirates packs.

“He’s been brilliant,” coach Steve Smith said.

“There’s not a lot of him but he punches way above his weight. He’s not afraid to put his body on the line when the big forwards are running at him.”

Waikohu’s goalkicking No.8/prop Tapu Dixon has benefited from his side’s improving form. He gave a man-of-the-match display against Pirates, which earned him three points. Dixon is on nine points, along with former Waikohu back Ethine Reeves, Woodbank High School Old Boys No.8 Siosiua Moala and Pirates back Devonte Martin.

Reeves, now playing for Enterprise Cars OBM, picked up two points in Saturday’s 40-36 loss to HSOB. Early pace-setter Moala has not played since the third game in Round 1, but could make a return on Saturday when HSOB play Waikohu.