A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.
WINLESS after five games in the first round of the Poverty Bay premier championship, Ngatapa made it two from two in the second round with a 30-26 victory over Waikohu at Patutahi on Saturday.
“It’s great to get another win,” said Larsawn Ngtapa coach Will Faulks, whose side claimed the Challenge Cup, after Aon Waikohu beat HSOB last week and the Black and White Cup played for between Ngatapa and Waikohu.
Despite playing into a strong north-westerly wind, the Green Machine went to halftime leading 14-10.
Waikohu opened the scoring through a penalty to fullback Ethine Reeves. But tries to winger Calais Collins — converted by first five-eight Chris Richardson — and centre Pete Livingston, in reply to a Ra Marshall try converted by Reeves, had Ngatapa in control as Waikohu prepared to face the elements.
“The forwards played particularly well in the open 40 minutes and we wanted to keep the ball in the forwards for the last 40,” Faulks said.
“The temptation when you have the wind behind you is to kick. We wanted to use the wind but we didn’t want to let a very good Waikohu side back into the game with needless kicks.”
Ngatapa moved to 30-18 ahead with 15 minutes to go. Skipper and No.8 Campbell Chrisp scored a try, converted by Richardson, and Ngatapa were also awarded a penalty try (automatic eight points). Marshall got the second of his tries, which was converted by Reeves.
Waikohu centre Sonny Campbell closed the gap when he charged down a clearing kick to score under the posts, giving Reeves an easy conversion.
“It was game on after that and we spent the last 10 minutes on defence, but the boys were up to it,” Faulks said.
“It was a real team effort but Paddy Allen was outstanding, especially in that last 10 minutes when he made tackle after tackle.
“Campbell had another big game. Chris Richardson and second five Seddon Smith also played well.’
Waikohu coach Tahi Hiroki said it was an “awesome” game.
“It was played in good spirit and even though we lost we can hold our heads up high. We’re really wanted to back up last week’s win with another but credit to Ngatapa — they played well and on the day deserved to win,”
Hiroki said Marshall was his team’s player of the day, followed closely by lock Neal Rutherford and Reeves.
Ngatapa 30 (Calais Collins, Pete Livingston, Campbell Chrisp, penalty try; Chris Richardson 2 con, automatic con for pen try).
Waikohu 26 (Ra Marshall 2, Sonny Campbell tries; Ethine Reeves, pen, 3 con).
HT: 14-10 (Nga).
¦ Enterprise Cars OBM and Kevin Hollis Glass Pirates treated their supporters to a feast of running rugby at Rugby Park from which OBM emerged 66-38 winners.
Bottom-of-the-table Pirates rocked second-placed OBM in the first 40 minutes to lead 22-20.
They were 22-12 ahead with one minute to go to the break only for in-form OBM lock Jacob Cook to win a lineout close to the Pirates line and set up a drive. When the move was stopped, first five John Jones led the charge towards the line before he was halted. Halfback Willy Grogan, though, was in no mood to be stopped and crashed over for the try, which Jones converted.
“We played well for the first 10 mminutes of the second half but after that OBM took over. Our fitness let us down,” said Pirates captain Ken Houkamau.
“You score 38 points in a game, you expect to win but at least we scored some tries, something we have struggled to do all season.”
OBM coach Stu Blair said Pirates deserved to be ahead at the break.
“They scored some really good tries from good set-piece moves. For some reason we didn’t showed the same urgency as they did in that first 40 but we came right in the end.”
Pirates sprang a surprise in naming second five TK Moeke in the No.6 jersey and he justified the move with three tries.
“We wanted to try something different and with TK’s style of hitting the ball up and breaking tackles we thought it would be a good move.
“Will we do it again? Not sure, we’ll see how he feels about a permanent switch.”
Blair praised prop Lance Dickson, Jones, Cook, winger George Halley and openside flanker James Grogan.
OBM 66 (Jacob Cook 2, James Rutene 2, Willy Grogan, James Grogan, Jake Holmes, Lindsay Banks, Josh Blair tries; John Jones pen, 5 con)
Pirates 38 (TK Moeke 3, Tip Jones, Carl Riini tries; Carl Riini pen, 3 con)
HT: 22-20 (Pirates)