No win for Ngatu's record game

RECORD SET: Sione Ngatu (with the ball) played his 132nd game for Poverty Bay at Wanganui on Saturday, setting a record for Bay appearances. He previously shared the record with former Old Boys prop Robbie Newlands. The Bay will be hoping to celebrate Ngatu’s 133rd game with a win when they play South Canterbury in the final round of the Heartland Championship here on Saturday. Picture by Paul Richard

SIONE Ngatu became Poverty Bay’s most capped player when he made his 132nd appearance in Saturday’s Heartland Championship rugby match against Whanganui in Wanganui.

Ngatu, the “quiet man of the team” edged past Robbie Newlands but LeaderBrand Poverty Bay could not make it a winning celebration. They lost 55-23 in the penultimate round of the Heartland Championship.

The result means the Bay have missed out on the top eight and will be playing for pride and Ngatu when they host South Canterbury on Saturday.

“We really wanted to win this one for Sione and midway through the second half we were only nine points in arrears and in with a chance,” said Bay lock and skipper Murray Hewson.

“Whanganui are a quality side and they ran away with it in the last 15 minutes. They started stringing phases together and we couldn’t stay with them.

“It certainly wasn’t for the want of trying. Not once did the boys hang their heads. Ethine Reeves (fullback) was outstanding. He had a lot of work to do on defence and attack.

“Our front row of Sione, Geoff Pari and Russell Burns gave it everything and young Hunter Mokomoko (winger) did not look out of place. He enhanced his reputation.”

Poverty Bay led 10-7 early in the game, thanks to midfielder Leigh Bristowe’s intercept try, converted by Reeves, who had earlier kicked a penalty.

Whanganui hit back to lead 23-13 at the break. Tries to winger Carl Riini and second five-eighth (or centre) Kerehama Barrett kept the Bay in touch.

“They both had to battle hard to get across the line,” Hewson said.

“But, like I said, Whanganui really stepped up over the last 15 minutes and ran away with it.”

WHANGANUI 55.

POVERTY BAY 23 (Leigh Bristowe, Carl Riini, Kerehama Barrett tries; Ethine Reeves con, 2 pens).

HT 23-13 (Whanganui).