A battle for dominance between the front rows soon began. It included a series of infringements as well as numerous resets throughout the game. Hiku had a slight weight advantage, with loosehead prop Winiata Blane up against Uawa’s wiry Dan Knubley, while Davies was locked in a battle of the heavies with Coast rep George Tuala. Hiku hooker Pat McLean matched Uawa’s Moana Nuku for size.
Jesse Tuala dominated the Hiku lineouts, while Uawa often went for four-man lineouts, with captain Ben Parkes and fellow flanker Rikki Kernohan providing clean ball for halfback Sam Parkes.
For Hiku, Blane, McLean, the Tuala brothers, flanker Kareti Palmer, No.8 Rhys Walker and lock Horace Lewis were the core of a strong scrum and effective loose play.
After 14 minutes, following a strong run by centre Loni Fisiihoi, Hiku camped on Uawa’s line, and crossed.
However, the try was disallowed after referee Joe Coleman consulted touch judge Chris Wanoa.
The first points in the game followed 10 minutes later.
Bursting through to scoreAfter several strong Uawa moves, Phillips took a pass from Sam Parkes and burst through to score near the posts. The conversion attempt missed.
The open game continued through the rest of the half.
The much-touted Hiku backline didn’t gel in the first half, although there were individual penetrating bursts from captain and first five-eighth Kris Palmer, second-five Tovio Fidow, centre Fisiihoi and wings Caleb Lewis and Robert Ngarimu. Halfback Charlie Harrison moved the ball from the scrum or made useful ground himself.
Uawa worked better as a team, and Sam Parkes and first-five Jordan Patrick used their backs.
Hiku’s Kris Palmer and Uawa’s Sam Parkes kicked well for the line, getting the ball out most of the time and making useful territory.
Just before halftime, Uawa wing Tawhao Stewart flicked the ball to Sidney, who sprinted 40 metres down the sideline and looked set to score in the corner — but a foot in touch spoiled all that. So Uawa led 6-0 at halftime.
The first half had been fast and furious and it was anyone’s game. The record crowd of about 1100 at Tolaga Domain had witnessed great rugby in a true Coast atmosphere with scores of tamariki (children) enjoying it to the hilt. A live stream was taking the game to the Ngati Porou and Te Aitanga a Hauiti diaspora.
The penalty count of 15-3 against Uawa concerned the host team and was doubtless discussed in the changing sheds, while Hiku hadn’t come to Tolaga to lose, and their halftime chat would have revolved around adding points to the board.
Hard contest in second halfBoth teams came out hard in the second half, and an early sign of Hiku’s intentions was a Horace Lewis burst through a ruck and over the line. But it was another try disallowed, this time because of double movement.
The running game continued, with lock Reg Namana making several bursts for Uawa.
The effects of a tough game began to tell, and Uawa’s Blackman and Hiku’s McLean left the field soon after the resumption of play, to be replaced by Te Atapo Kirikiri and Matanuku Parata respectively. Parata went to flanker and Kareti Palmer took over McLean’s role as hooker.
After 55 minutes, Sam Parkes kicked a penalty, increasing Uawa’s lead to 8-0.
Soon afterwards, Kirikiri was sent to the sinbin, reducing Uawa to seven forwards.
It was then that Hiku changed the game plan to focus on their forwards, along with halfback Charlie Harrison and first-five Kris Palmer. Hiku enthusiasts will recognise this change of strategy, as used recently against both Tokomaru United and TVC in response to their opposition being down to 14 men. It is characterised by a rolling maul comprising most of the team.
Hiku kept the ball in the forwards, with George Tuala, Blane, Walker and Horace Lewis making 10 to 20 metres at a time to close on the Uawa line.
Uawa second-five Jesse Saywell came off with an injured shoulder. His replacement was Jesse Rye, but it took many stops in play before line officials allowed Rye on the field.
At 60 minutes it was time for the 12-man rolling maul and referee Coleman raised his arm for the try. Loni Fisiihoi came up with the ball. Kris Palmer converted.
At 8-8, Hiku could see a win at the end of the tunnel, and Uawa had to match them as they kept the ball in the forwards, letting it out only for Kris Palmer to kick for territory.
At the 67-minute mark, one of these rolling forward movements ended with a try to Blane, Hiku’s man of the match. Kris Palmer converted to give the visitors a 16-8 lead.
A few minutes later a spear tackle led to a penalty slotted by Palmer, increasing the lead to 18-8.
For the game’s last 10 minutes the tension could be cut with a knife as Uawa tried to close the gap.
Uawa man of the match Knubley came off for the blood bin, replaced by solid prop Puri Hauiti, who joined Davies in making useful bursts.
Sam Parkes kept moving the ball out to his backs but the Hiku defence was staunch. Then right on fulltime, Sidney went over to score in the corner, and Parkes converted.
The final whistle blew, and Hiku had won 18-16. Ngati Porou East Coast Rugby Football Union president Graeme Summersby presented the Rangiora Keelan Memorial Shield to winning captain Kris Palmer, and it was time for photos.
HIKURANGI 18 (Loni Fisiihoi, Winiata Blane tries; Kris Palmer 2 con, pen).
UAWA 16 (Harley Phillips, BJ Sidney tries; Sam Parkes con, pen).
HT: 6-0 (Uawa).
