“We’ve had a terrible run of injuries lately. I’m hoping that once we get everyone back on board I can stop playing.
“Rugby is a simple game but we’re making it hard for ourselves.
“Against the wind, we could have held the ball more instead of kicking it away and running it out from crucial positions.”
Taking first advantage of the wind, Larsawn Ngatapa led 10-0 after 32 minutes through a penalty to centre Maka Lauti and a try to halfback Cameron Rowden, converted by Lauti.
“We conceded a soft try just before halftime and that gave YMP a boost,” Ngatapa coach Will Faulks said.
Hooker Shayde Skudder scored for the Magpies and first five-eighth Willie Brown’s conversion closed the scoreline to 10-8 going into the second half.
The game developed into an arm-wrestle after that, with Brown and Lauti trading penalties.
Faulks said his team were getting into good positions but not finishing off.
“We are improving in certain areas each week. It’s now a matter of putting it all together for 80 minutes.
“Campbell Chrisp (No.8), Grant Law (lock), Paddy Allen (blindside) and Karl Macpherson (winger) all put in tidy shifts.”
Eru Wharerau best player on the dayWyllie singled out Eru Wharerau (lock) as his best player on the day.
“He’s the oldest in the team but he’s playing with the legs of a youngster,” Wyllie said.
“If I were Mutu (Ngarimu, Bay coach) I’d be be looking at Eru. He could still do a job and he’s got a great attitude.
“Callen Whaitiri-White (lock) and Christie Stewart (winger) played well.
“Ngatapa came to play, as we knew they would. They were like Ngatapa teams of old. You could knock them down but they didn’t stay down. I wouldn’t write them off.”
YMP 14 (Shayde Skudder try; Willie Brown con, 3 pen).
Ngatapa 12 (Cameron Rowden try; Maka Lauti con, 2 pen).
HT: 10-8 (Ngatapa).
Waikohu coach Tahi Hiroki was rapt with his side’s 20-8 win against Pirates at Te Karaka.
“It’s our second win of the season and moves us into fourth place,” Hiroki said.
“But more than that, it gives us something to build on, and we’re looking forward to the start of the second round, against HSOB at Te Karaka on Saturday.
“They put 30 points on us on the opening day. It will be interesting to see how far we have come since then.”
Winger Hemi Edwards gave Waikohu a great start when he scored a try after 10 minutes.
“We attacked from the kick-off and pretty much stayed in their half for the first 10 minutes,” Hiroki said.
“We had a few lineouts, a few scrums and then when the ball came out it went though the hands quickly and we finished off with a try.
“It was good because Pirates were defending well.”
Cameron stretches the leadDespite solid defence from Pirates, lock Shannon Cameron stretched the lead with a try in the 25th minute, and Ethine Reeves converted for a 14-0 lead at the break.
“I told the boys we needed to score first in the second half as Pirates would come back at us,” Hiroki said.
“I was impressed with their forwards. They played well and once they get their full squad available they’ll be competitive, which is another reason I’m happy to have won today.”
Pirates captain and halfback CJ Fox scored a try and converted to reduce the deficit early in the the last 40 before winger Fagan Ruru sealed the win with an unconverted try 20 minutes from time.
“It was just as well that Fagan scored,” Hiroki said.
“We had two men in the sinbin, one five minutes after the first, but the backs, Mario Counsell, Reeves, Ruru and the Moana brothers, Storm and Zion, were outstanding on defence.”
Bruce Reeves, younger brother of Ethine, made his debut at hooker and played well, alongside seasoned props Geoff Pari and Toru Noanoa.
“Bruce used to be a loosie,” Hiroki said.
“He’s been away from the game for a while but he’s back now and had a brilliant game in the front row.”
Hiroki hopes to have flanker Kimihia Matiaha and lock-cum-loosie Neal Rutherford available for the HSOB game.
“Neal injured his neck against HSOB on Day 1 and played on but he’s had a few weeks off now so should be OK.”
Waikohu 20 (Hemi Edwards, Shannon Cameron, Fagan Ruru tries; Ethine Reeves con).
Pirates 8 (CJ Fox try, con).
HT: 14-0.
