Coast fail to capitalise on first-half wind

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RUGBY

“WE just didn’t score enough points in the first half with a strong wind behind us,” Ngati Porou East Coast coach Wayne Ensor said after his side’s 56-7 loss to Mid Canterbury in their Heartland Championship rugby clash at Ashburton on Saturday.

“We played really well, scored a good try to Epeli Lotawa (right wing) after a good attacking kick from Sam Parkes (halfback), and then Parkesy converted.”

Mid Canterbury, needing the bonus point to stay in the hunt for a top-four spot, hit back with two converted tries in the first 40 to lead 14-7 at the break.

The South Islanders then added 32 points without reply in the second half.

“We held them at 30-7 for a long time and we would have been happy if we’d finished at that score, but they’re a good team,” Ensor said.

Lotawa was the Coast’s player of the day.

“He had an exceptionally high tackle-rate,” Ensor said.

“Parkesy and Hone Haerewa also played well. Parkesy is one of those players who never seems to have a bad game, and Hone was back to his best.”

The Coast face another tough game, against Wanganui, at Whakarua Park on Saturday before ending their campaign with an away game against West Coast.

Defending champions Wanganui lead the competition with 29 points, from South Canterbury, Thames Valley and Horowhenua Kapiti, all on 22.

A win against the Coast will secure top spot and a home semifinal and potentially a home final, leaving the other three teams, along with King Country, Wairarapa Bush, Mid Canterbury and West Coast scrapping for the remaining three places.

Mid Canterbury 56 (penalty try, Isireli Masiwini 2, Aron Einarsson, Dan Fransen, Logan Bonnington, Angus Lindsay, Leauma Tu Uga tries; Nathan McCloy 7 cons).

NGATI POROU East Coast 7 (Epeli Lotawa try; Sam Parkes con). HT: 14-7.