Medal winner Chrisp back to his best

Larsawn Ngatapa prop Campbell Chrisp has Cameron Rouden (left) and Jason Jones in support as he charges towards the YMP defence on the opening day of the Poverty Bay premier club rugby competition at Tapuae Sports Ground. Ngatapa came from 20-0 down to win 26-25 in the match of the day. Chrisp was named Tiny White Medal winner for player of the day over all three matches. Picture by Paul Rickard

Campbell Chrisp produced a display worthy of a Tiny White Medal winner when he inspired Larsawn Ngatapa to a 26-25 comeback win against YMP in the opening round of Poverty Bay premier rugby on Saturday.

Down 20-0 after 24 minutes and looking as though they were going to cop a hiding from a rampant YMP, the Green Machine mounted a comeback in which loosehead prop Chrisp was pivotal.

He was back to his best after a troublesome knee injury last season. He scrummaged superbly, made big metres with ball in hand, and put his body on the line as YMP threw everything at Ngatapa in the closing stages of a great game.

The medal is awarded to the best all-round player of the three matches on the first day of the season. This year, all the games were at Tapuae Sports Ground in Wairoa.

New player-coachNgatapa’s new player-coach, Sione Ngatu, also played his part after coming on at halftime.

“I was hoping to play only 20 minutes but ended up playing 40,” said Ngatu, whose experience was invaluable.

“I wasn’t too worried about the way we started. In some ways it was to be expected. We haven’t had any pre-season games and you could see that from the way we started the game.

“But it’s always good to get a win first up and we’ve got two weeks before our next game, which is good as we’ve got a lot to work on.”

No matches will be played over the Easter breakYMP centre Te Peehe Fairlie, back in the club colours after playing in the Coast competition last season, opened the scoring with a try after seven minutes. First five-eighth Brian Whaitiri-White converted.

It should have been 14-0 shortly after. Second-five Reihana Wyllie, causing Ngatapa problems with his hard and straight running, split the defence then passed infield for what should have been an easy run to the posts only for the ball to be spilled.

Whaitiri-White stretched the lead with a penalty in the 10th minute. Seven minutes later it was 17-0 when Wyllie scored between the posts after a move started by No.8 Willis Tamatea. Whaitiri-White converted, then made it 20-0 with his second penalty as YMP threatened to run riot.

But Chrisp stirred up his teammates with some strong runs and tackling. After 35 minutes, right-winger Henry Seymour scored a try to finish off Ngatapa’s first serious raid into the YMP 22.

On the stroke of halftime Ngatapa hooker Ihaia Kerr scored a five-pointer, converted by fullback Pete Livingston, and Ngatapa were only 20-12 down.

From then on, it was Ngatapa charging forward and YMP on the back foot.

Fifteen minutes into the second half, Chrisp’s younger brother Alex reduced the deficit with a try in the left-wing corner. Livingston nailed a sideline conversion and it was 20-19.

Back came YMP. Winger Jeremy Ferris capitalised on a brilliant 45-metre run from Tamatea, who kicked the ball behind the last man.

Ferris won the chase and finished with a spectacular dive, showing great composure and skill to ground the ball one-handed as it headed towards the deadball line. It was 25-19 to YMP, with 15 minutes remaining.

But Ngatapa would not be stopped. They hit back in the 78th minute with a try to replacement forward Leon Kerr. After playing seven years for the senior one team, this was his first premier try.

Livingston showed his earlier sideline conversion was no fluke with another beauty to edge his team ahead, 26-25.

With time up, YMP were awarded a penalty 40 metres out and just inside the left-hand post. Jacob Leaf hit the ball well but it drifted outside the posts.

While Chrisp took the top honours for Ngatapa, Ngatu and co-captains Anthony Karauria and first five-eighth Chris Richardson also played well.

YMP’s best were their seasoned campaigners Wyllie, Tamatea and Eru Wharerau.

NGATAPA 26 (H Seymour, I Kerr, A Chrisp, L Kerr tries; P Livingston, 3 con) YMP 25 (Te P Fairlie, R Wyllie, J Ferris tries; B Whaitiri-White 2 con, 2 pen).

HT 20-12 (YMP).