Unfortunately for Enterprise Cars OBM, they couldn't reproduce their first-half magic and were unable to score any further points.
It was clear as the game wore on that the frantic pace set in the first half was unsustainable and the game lost its structure in the dying stages. Both teams were out on their feet.
GT Shearing Waikohu had lost first five-eighth Kelvin Smith early with a shoulder injury, but managed to rally round second-five Jesse Fleming, who slotted into the role well.
OBM opened the scoring with a penalty kick, then both teams' hookers traded tries. Waikohu scored the first, through Matekairoa McGuire, who was on the receiving end of an excellent offload on a dart down the slim blindside corridor.
OBM answered straight back through Rikki Terekia, who dummied the cover defence to stroll over the line from the back of an attacking maul.
From there the teams traded points, Waikohu scoring two tries and OBM a second converted try to go to the break with the scores tied.
Waikohu had looked dangerous across the park with their dynamic attacking style and OBM had put together some strong attacks with repeated phases.
OBM's second-half woes started early with flanker Keanu Taumata yellow-carded for incorrect entry close to the line.
Waikohu capitalised instantly through James Rutene, after he ran a great supporting line for Jarryd Broughton, who offloaded in the tackle with the OBM defence too focused on bringing down the big man.
Broughton also featured in the only other scoring play of the second half when he crashed over from close to the line with a big run from first receiver, showing he is still almost impossible to stop that close to the line.
The constant pressure from Waikohu was too much for OBM, who fought to the last with heart and passion.
Even with Waikohu ahead by 12 points, OBM played as if at any point they could turn the game around.
Both teams generated some exciting attacking rugby and, given how the standings are shaping up, they could face each other come the knockout rounds.
OBM coach Clint Pirihi said that while they were able to keep pace with Waikohu, they were beaten by the better team on the day.
“If anything, we know where we need to be . . . they showed us another level.”
The team played to his game-plan in the first half, but got wayward in the second as Waikohu put the throttle down, he said.
“We played well in the first half and they played not so well, then it switched over in the second half.
“Waikohu showed us why they're the best in the competition.”
Pirihi said his captain, Rikki Terekia, had a fantastic game, leading from the front with passion and intensity.
“I'm proud of all of them. We let in some easy tries, but it's what we did after that and how we responded that counts.”
