Fourth-placed Pirates face top-of-the-table Aon Waikohu in the other.
The highlight of Saturday’s match on a heavy Paddy’s Park surface was undoubtedly the length-of-the-field try Pirates scored to level the score early in the second half after the home side led 10-5 at the break.
The 100-metre spellbinder started when the Buccaneers repelled a Ngatapa surge on their line and turned the ball over.
It was spun wide into the hands of fullback Pamona Samupo, who made the initial bust, and the ball changed hands nine or 10 times before Samupo, who handled twice more himself, crossed for the five-pointer.
It was a piece of rugby magic. Several at the ground commented: “How often do you see a try like that scored?”
Until the 10-all deadlock was finally broken near the end, both teams slogged it out in the boggy conditions.
Pirates produced the better attacking opportunities and for the want of a held final pass should have made more of them.
Ngatapa coach Will Faulks was pleased with the way his team finished so strongly.
They also had some tryscoring opportunities that went unrewarded.
“It was a bit difficult for us today because we were missing some of our backs, but the guys who came on did well.
“I thought Matt Harvey at fullback had an excellent game. He had the flu but he grunted it out.
“Chris Richardson, at first five, was good too, particularly his kicking game, and lock Matt Cooper was another standout.
“When we get on task as a team we can play alright but I feel we mucked around out there for 40-50 minutes. However, it was good to get the win.”
Ngatapa’s tries were scored by Matt Cooper, Henare Walker, Sam McDell and Alex Chrisp.
Richardson converted one of the tries.
Pirates also went into the match without some of their key players and coach Willie Waitoa said he was proud of their effort.
“I feel we had the better of that game. Three or four tries were missed but for the last pass.”
Pirates’ style to run the ball on many occasions, and their support play, was a feature of the match, epitomised by the memorable second try.
“TK (Moeke, midfield back) was instrumental out there for us. Pamona (Samupo) and Whakarae Henare (first five) both had great games, too,” Waitoa said.
“Willie Bollingford (flanker) grabbed the turnover that started that 100 metre try, and also scored one himself. He was another standout for us, along with stand-in skipper Rob Broughton at hooker.”
It was an entertaining game, played in good spirit in tricky underfoot conditions, and it set both teams up well for the semifinals.
In the other club matches, top-of-the-table Aon Waikohu returned to their winning ways with a 59-17 defeat of Enterprise Cars OBM at Te Karaka. YMP ended their season on a winning note, downing bottom-of-the-table Tyre General Athletic 19-0 in Wairoa.
