Guildford gets his first points for the Coast

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RUGBY

The Coast are on the move.

Ngati Porou East Coast continued their march towards the Heartland opener against Buller on August 24 with a 61-14 win against Bay of Plenty Maori on Saturday.

In good conditions at Rotorua, the Coast outscored the home team by nine tries to two.

NPEC loosehead prop Hakarangi Tichborne, first five-eighth Sam Parkes and centre Zac Guildford all scored twice, and No.8 Mitchell Crosswell, halfback Hamuera Baker and reserve right wing William Martin scored a try each. Fullback Zane Crooks landed eight conversions from nine attempts in an exceptional goalkicking display; the visitors led 42-0 at halftime.

Wellington referee Vincent Ringrose did a great job of facilitating high-quality rugby at pace before a crowd of 500 at Puarenga Park. The Coast’s scrum and lineout were tidy, and head coach Wayne Ensor was able to take some positives out of the game.

“We’re looking good and we’re quietly happy at the moment,” he said.

Bay of Plenty Maori scored second-half tries through lock Sonny Collier and blindside flanker Jack Pryor, both converted by right wing John Collier, who was in the Coast’s Meads Cup-winning crew of 2012.

BoPM coach Murray Sturt said the Coast played hard and fast in a great, clean game.