City now in contention

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

RUATORIA City’s 14-8 victory over Tokomaru United in the early game at Whakarua Park on Saturday has moved them into the Ngati Porou East Coast club rugby competition’s top four.

The pitch was sodden from overnight rain and it was still blowing hard and hosing down at kick-off as United attacked towards the northern end of the ground. Fifteen minutes later the weather cleared and Ruatoria was bathed in blue sky.

United attacked from the kick-off but City held them out and cleared and the game see-sawed until United lock Tim Barbarich attempted the first of three penalties early in the game. He missed them all — unusual for this safe boot.

The United forwards were dominant at this stage, but Stefan Destounis’s absence was felt in the backline.

The City forwards were well drilled, and the combinations worked well when they were able to get the ball out to halfback Neihana Ratahi, five-eighths Corey Walker and Taiaho White and centre Roha Dalton-Reedy, who made incisive breaks.

After 30 minutes of play, Walker scored the first try of the game for City after a strong backline move, and it was converted by Barbarich.

United replied with a strong attack and a failed penalty attempt by Jason Babbington, who was also having trouble with his kicks.

At this stage of the game a lot of the play was scrappy, with ball-carriers passing to people who weren’t there and other passes just going astray. There were also many pointless kicks, many of which didn’t make touch or gain territory but just lost useful possession.

City scrums look upThe City scrums were looking up and No.8 Raumati White was winning ball well in the line-outs. As the game neared halftime it was clear that it was to be a battle of attrition — two equal teams fighting it out and getting nowhere fast.

Soon after play resumed in the second half, City increased their lead to 14-0 with an unconverted try by Ratahi.

From then on, United dominated, spending much of the second half in City’s red zone. Bursts by their backs on the City line failed time after time when the ball was dropped.

Powerful City and East Coast prop Pera Bishop was sent to the sin-bin after 15 minutes. United capitalised on his absence by throwing everything at the City line, and second-five Caynan Parata went over for a try, converted by Babbington.

For the last 20 minutes, play rarely went outside the City 22 as United tried to close the gap. It’s a credit to the City defence that they weren’t able to.

When ref Chris Wanoa blew fulltime, the City players leapt for joy, and who can blame them — a few minutes more could have changed the result.

Ruatoria City 14 (Corey Walker, Neihana Ratahi tries; Tim Barbarich con) Tokomaru United 8 (Caynan Parata try; Jason Babbington con).

HT: 8-0 (City).

The young Tawhiti team lost to Waiapu on Saturday.

Waiapu 88 (Richie Green 2, Jesse Haenga 2, Perrin Manuel 2, Tihei Turei 2, Ngata Mauheni, Neihana Huriwai, Tojo Maaka, Grayson Mauheni tries; Abbey Wawatai 8 con) Tawhiti 2.

HT: 38-2.