OBM push Waikohu all the way in semi

Waikohu’s No.8 Ken Houkamau charges at OBM first five-eighth Dean Pohatu during Saturday’s Lee Bros Shield semifinal. The slightly-built Pohatu tackled himself to a standstill. Picture by Paul Rickard

Waikohu coach Jason Tuapawa said Saturday’s 25-14 win against OBM in the Lee Bros Shield rugby semifinal was the stern challenge the team needed going into this weekend’s final.

“That was our hardest game of the season, apart from a loss to High School Old Boys,” said Tuapawa, whose side will play YMP at Rugby Park on Saturday in a decider between the two most attacking teams in the competition.

“It should be a great game and I want to pay tribute to OBM for giving us the preparation we needed.

“We beat them by 40 points last week but they did their homework on us.

“They’ve given us something to think about and work on for the final.”

A 25-14 scoreline could give the impression of a comfortable win for the men from Te Karaka . . . it was far from comfortable.

Enterprise Cars OBM, with player-coach and No.8 Tom Solomon driving his side on, were within a converted try of winning the game until the 77th minute, when a try to replacement flanker Tonga Stevens sealed the victory.

“I’m proud of everyone in the squad today,” said Solomon, who turns 40 in two weeks and who scored a try in the 59th minute to close the score to 17-12, before skipper and second five-eighth Jake Holmes landed a sideline conversion to make it 17-14.

“I’m disappointed we couldn’t pull off the win but we’ll be back next year.

“Waikohu are a good team, but I can’t fault our guys. To see Waikohu take a penalty shot five metres from our line says a lot about our defence.

“Normally they would tap the ball and spin it, so I’m proud of that. They showed us respect.”

Waikohu first five-eighth Kelvin Smith, the difference between the sides at the weekend, opened the scoring with a try after eight minutes. It was converted by fullback Ethine Reees, and it looked like another 40-point drubbing was on the cards. But it was another 18 minutes before Waikohu added to their tally, through a try to Reeves.

With Solomon leading by example and being supported by locks Jody Allen and Juston Allen, blindside flanker Jacob Cook, hooker Rikki Terekia, halfback Willy Grogan, first-five Dean Pohatu and Holmes, OBM refused to buckle.

They hit back with a try to Juston Allen after 35 minutes. Holmes peeled off 50 metres after being awarded a penalty, to put OBM into an attacking position. Cook did his job when he secured good clean ball and then the Allen brothers combined before Juston scored under the bar.

For Waikohu, Smith was always dangerous with ball in hand, and No.8 Ken Houkamau, hooker and skipper Geoff Pari, prop Toru Noanoa, lock TK Tane and Reeves were prominent.

In the 59th minute, Smith capped an outstanding game when he scored his second try. He spotted a gap in the line and faked a pass, held on to the ball and accelerated away from the cover defence.

Reeves missed an easy conversion.

When Solomon scored after being driven across the line by his forwards from a scrum, and Holmes converted, it was anybody’s game at 17-14 with 20 minutes to play.

OBM had the scent of an upset as they surged forward, forcing the classy Waikohu backs to clear danger with kicks rather then their usual counter-attacks.

With 14 minutes to go, Reeves eased the pressure a little with a penalty, then missed the chance to take his side past the seven-point margin when he missed a handy kick in the 73rd minute.

There was a silver lining for OBM and Ngatapa when their Senior one teams reached Saturday’s Lew Patterson Cup final.

OBM beat YMP 15-14 while Ngatapa defeated Nuhaka 10-5.

Waikohu 25 (K Smith 2, E Reeves, T Stevens tries; E Reeves con, pen).

OBM 14 (Juston Allen, T Solomon tries; J Holmes 2 con). HT: 12-7.