Injury-hit Ngatapa hold on by a point

PASS IT ON: Ngatapa halfback Angus Twigley prepares to fire out a pass during Saturday’s premier rugby match against High School Old Boys at Patutahi. Twigley started in place of injured skipper Chris Richardson — one of seven first-team regulars missing — and had a stormer as the “second-stringers” upset their more fancied opponents 16-15. Watching Twigley are HSOB first five-eighth Baxter Mackay (left) and prop Russell Burns. Picture by Liam Clayton

Ngatapa took the points and the glory after their injury-ravaged side held on to beat High School Old Boys 16-15 in premier rugby at Patutahi on Saturday.

Larsawn Ngatapa player-coach Sione Ngatu was without seven first-team regulars, including skipper and halfback Chris Richardson, while Earthwork Solution HSOB were strengthened by the return of former and current rep players.

Centre Pete Livingston was the toast of Paddy’s Park when he nailed a pressure penalty from the sideline in the 73rd minute with his team trailing 15-13. But Livingston had to be content with one point, behind veteran hooker Jason Jones (2) and No.8 Pete Tamatea (3) in the Most Valuable Player points.

Tamatea, who looks more like a front-rower than a No.8, had his best game of the season. Jones, a classic old-style combative hooker, turned back the clock with some up-the-middle-and-at-’em charges. But he also came up with four magnificent tackles, including one on HSOB fullback Andrew Tauatevalu to save what looked to be a certain try in the first half.

“Nice one, Jonesy,” said former Poverty Bay and HSOB front-rower Guy Middleton, who moments earlier had given Jones some friendly advice on throwing the ball in straight.

Ngatu and assistant coach David McDonald also sprang a surprise when they named 20-year-old fullback Cameron Rowden as Richardson’s replacement

Rowden rose to the challenge, scoring the opening points, a try after four minutes, and leading by example.

“He reads the game well and is a good talker,” McDonald said.

“We knew he would do a good job.”

Ngatu, a man of few words, was happy with the performance of the whole team, including reserves.

“That was much better than last week, (a 39-12 loss to YMP),” he said.

“We had to work hard for the result and got there in the end.”

Ngatapa are third on the table on 29 points, one behind YMP and six points behind Waikohu, who had the bye.

Ngatu, McDonald and the Ngatapa faithful had every right to be proud of their team, who defied the odds to win this game.

When told I had put my house on a High School Old Boys win, Rowden laughed and said a lot of people would have had their money on HSOB.

“But we have good depth and confidence in our reserves and I think we all stepped up today,” said Rowden, who works 20 minutes’ drive inland from Tolaga Bay but travels twice a week to Patutahi to train.

“It’s a great club with a great bunch of guys. I couldn’t be prouder of the boys today.”

Rowden set the scene for a thrilling but nail-biting victory when he finished off a superb break by left wing Henry Seymour, who carved a huge hole in the HSOB defence up the middle of the pitch before veering towards the right wing. As the cover defence came across, Seymour timed to perfection his pass to Rowden, who hit the line at speed and scored close to the posts. Livingston converted.

A fired-up Ngatapa side took control of the game. Lock Semisi Akana was heavily involved in the action and getting great support from Tamatea, Jones, props Ngatu and Todd Harris, lock Sam McDell, openside flanker Jacob Samuel and blindside James Maher.

Richardson’s replacement, Angus Twigley, revelled in the possession and position, and gave his outsides quick, clean ball.

After another good run from Seymour, Ngatapa were awarded a penalty.

Livingston, who in the past has been erratic with his goalkicking, has obviously been practising. His kick never looked like missing.

That made it 10-0 to Ngatapa with eight minutes gone. Seven minutes later Livingston slotted another penalty and Ngatapa were on a roll.

They had chances to stretch their lead but failed to take them and were stunned when HSOB halfback Scott Tallott scored a try after 25 minutes.

Tallott was instrumental in getting his side into the match, by making strong bursts and setting up attacks.

HSOB had an opportunity to close the gap further when they were awarded a kickable penalty in the 43rd minute but opted to go for the lineout, after which they lost possession. Ngatapa went to the halftime break 13-5 ahead.

HSOB coach Jamie Hutana brought on some heavy artillery, including Tamanui Hill, Iso Pofele and David Joll. Hill, in particular, made a big impact as HSOB had the better of the second half.

With the wind at their backs, HSOB had a tactic of kicking for the corner to put pressure on Ngatapa. It worked in the 50th minute, when openside flanker Stefan Destounis pounced on a loose pass to score a try, which Tauatevalu converted.

However, the problems for HSOB were that kicks went dead, did not find touch when they should have, and went out on the full.

They did not capitalise on their advantage and after 60 minutes had only a penalty to Tauatevalu to show for their ascendancy.

At this stage, maybe a better tactic would have been to keep the ball in hand.

They were made to pay what could end up being a heavy price — if they miss out on a semifinal spot — when Livingston regained the lead and four valuable points for the home side.

NGATAPA 16 (C Rowden try; P Livingston con, 3 pen).

HSOB 15 (S Tallott, S Destounis tries; A Tauatevalu con, pen). HT: 13-5 (Ngatapa).