The lineout count was 5-5, due in large part to promising lock Reece Franklin, Opotiki's player of the day, and the penalty count was 11-9 to Opotiki.
Bay of Plenty first-class referee David Brouwer kept up with play, was decisive, signalled clearly and was consistent in his rulings.
Ngatapa skipper Jones said the game was exactly what they needed — a physical contest.
“Opotiki were strong at the lineout — Reece (Franklin) was strong in the air — and they had good ball-carriers, too.
“We were committed and courageous, and showed flair out wide.
“The fact that we had two teams on show speaks to our depth — the strength of the club.”
Opotiki Sports won the Senior 1 fixture 41-10, having led 31-0 at the break.
Loosehead prop Taylor Howatson and first five-eighth Ricardo Patricio scored tries for a Ngatapa crew well led by captain and hooker Leon Kerr.
Nippy halfback Benito Barry has good length of pass — both he and Patricio backed up, being on the field at the end of the premier clash.
“Those two are players of the future,” Senior 1 coach Heath Hawea said.
“Our prems coach Steve Hickey is on record: they'll play for him again at some stage this season.”
The premier match featured bruising defence, tenacity and — from Opotiki players Matty Leaf and Hata Wilbore — sharp service.
Opotiki captain and second-five Mana Howe, too, is a classy player.
But Ngatapa, having been stretched, showed a willingness to scramble and chase down ball-carriers that saved tries.
Opotiki dominated field position early on and struck first, in the seventh minute. Big No.8 Luke Morris made a long run down the left side of the ground into Ngatapa's 22. With one man outside him and two to his right, Morris opted for Franklin, who scored.
Ngatapa did not reach the Opotiki 22 until 10 minutes into the game.
Hard, clean tackles were the order of the day. Only twice in the game did referee Brouwer penalise defenders for tackles riding up, and he issued no cards.
In the 19th minute, Franklin scored again, and Howe converted for 12-0 to Opotiki.
From that point, Ngatapa redoubled their efforts. Hooker Ihaia Kerr tackled with venom, and Jones twice made good ground with ball in hand.
In the 41st minute, tighthead prop Campbell Chrisp slipped Mouton a super wraparound pass down the right flank to score. Centre Isaac Thomas converted to close it to 12-7 to Opotiki Sports at the break.
When play resumed, Ngatapa lock Sam McDell caught the ball from kick-off and ran back hard.
Opotiki fullback Cory Howe scored in the right corner 52 minutes into the game.
Players were tackled into touch more often than line-kicks were attempted, as both teams tried to keep the ball in play.
In the 65th minute, Jones scored from close range, five metres to the left of the posts to make it 17-12 to Opotiki.
For the next 15 minutes,both teams grafted hard, but any gaps closed almost as soon as they appeared.
“We dominated the first 30 minutes but then dropped off just before halftime,” Opotiki premier coach Mike Smith said.
“Ngatapa's big guys kept up with the pace of the game, and it could've gone either way in the second half.”
The result meant Opotiki Sports retained the trophy donated by former Ngatapa halfback Murray Scragg.
“It was good rugby,” Smith said.
“We were impressed by what Ngatapa put on for everybody at their pre-season tournament. In terms of that and this fixture, we want to keep a good thing going.”
