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RUGBY
When an irresistible force meets an immovable object, the irresistible force usually comes out on top.
On Saturday, at Te Kura Mana Maori o Whangaparaoa, home team Tihirau Victory Club and visitors Hikurangi had both in equal measures to the tune of a 12-all draw.
It was the game of week 5 in East Coast club rugby which also featured a 73-7 win to Uawa over Tokararangi and Ruatoria City beating Tokomaru Bay United 41-24.
Hicks Bay, who had the bye, retained the competition lead on 20 points, Uawa (17) moved into second on points differential from TVC, Hikurangi are on 12, City 6, Tokararangi 5 and United claimed their first point of the season in scoring four tries.
City and United have played one more game than the others.
TVC v Hikurangi
Hikurangi did not win on Saturday but they showed immense toughness and determination against strong opposition.
In ideal conditions at Cape Runaway with Ngati Porou East Coast rugby development officer Victor Herbert as referee, Hikurangi right winger Zyon Collins scored first.
TVC responded with tries to openside flanker Kuhu Haweti — converted by second-five Peti Delamere— and centre Ron-Paul McRoberts to go into the halftime break 12-5 ahead.
Hikurangi halfback Neihana Ratahi-Brown scored the game’s fourth and final try and fullback Fabyan Kahaki converted to tie the scores.
Most Valuable Player awards for both teams went to their blindside flankers — Hubert Matchitt (TVC) and Karauria Keelan (Hikurangi).
In the absence of end-to-end passing movements, there was hard tackling:
Hikurangi coach Doone Harrison praised openside flanker Trent Proffit and second-five Te Hira Matahiki for their defence.
Keelan ran non-stop in support of the ball-carrier and is a player who acts as a beacon to flagging teammates.
TVC captain halfback Moana Mato expected a “very physical game” from hooker Ngarimu Parata’s crew and would not have been disappointed.
Parata said: “It was competitive at the rucks, our play at set piece was good and our forwards carried the ball well.
“A lack of execution cost both teams. The game itself could have gone either way.”
Ruatoria City v Tokomaru Bay United
City are excited and so they should be.
Their 41-24 victory against Tokomaru Bay United at Hatea-a-rangi was their first of the 16-week season.
Ruatoria City captain No.8-cum-loosehead prop Tim Barbarich had every reason to be delighted.
“We finally got on the board with a win. It was good. We tidied up areas we struggled with in previous games.”
City centre Taiaho White scored two tries and tighthead prop Pera Bishop, hooker John Brown, lock Codey Ellis, left wing Karaitiana Keelan and second five-eighth Nathaniel Fox scored one apiece.
Fox kicked two conversions and Barbarich one.
United No.8 Tupou Taliauli grabbed a double and lock Mike Tiopira and Papua New Guinean left wing Dickson Don scored tries. Centre Jason Babbington kicked two conversions.
Referee Matt Richards did a good job. His consistency and ability to let the game flow was appreciated by players and spectators.
“City deserved to win but our boys never gave up,” said United captain and first five-eighth Matt Marino.
“The biggest battle was in the forwards. We just needed to keep the ball in tight more often and for longer. That said, Tupou had a great game at No.8, running hard and tackling, as our MVP.”
Whoever had to travel to Tolaga Bay this week, was going to have it tough.
Uawa v Tokararangi
Hosts Uawa played pacy hard-nosed rugby in their 73-7 win against Tokararangi to retain the Apirana Crawford Memorial Trophy.
They scored 11 tries — a hat-trick to fullback BJ Sidney, two each to MVP and first-five Tipene Meihana, left wing Tee Paenga and reserve lock Dru Hunt, and one apiece to reserve No.8 Fale Taleafoa and reserve left wing Jah Timmins.
Halfback Chris Richardson kicked four conversions, Sidney three and Meihana and Paenga one each.
Referee Richard Tuhaka, ably assisted by the experienced Troy Para and Jimmy Green, kept good control of a high-tempo game.
“Our lineout was good and the scrum battle was even,” said Uawa skipper and lock Scott Lasenby.
“I was pleased that we kept our structure and discipline this week in what was a fast and very physical game.”
Uawa were dealt a blow with in-form Paenga leaving the field two minutes before fulltime with an ankle injury likely to sideline him for some time.
Blindside flanker Mani Hovell was Tokararangi’s MVP and scored their only try, converted by skilful first five Slade Tiopira.
Despite the score, Tokararangi coach Morgan Wirepa junior took positives out of the contest.
“The boys won their fair share of ball at set piece. We had opportunities. We just needed to pick up that support player and finish,” he said.
“Young William Martin on the left-wing was elusive, Piripi Abraham on the right wing has pace and you can’t go past openside flanker Taylor Hovell with his support play and defence.
“He’s been playing out of his skin this year.”