Pictures by Paul Rickard
HSOB v YMPFORMER High School Old Boys captain Jonathan Poole answered an SOS call from coach Wayne Ensor and ended up being the toast of the club with a late try in a 32-14 premier rugby victory over YMP at Rugby Park on Saturday.
It was No.8 Tevita Maka’s 100th game for Woodbank HSOB and he marked the milestone with a typical Maka performance . . . strong with ball in hand and always willing to put his body on the line.
But Poole, who was “persuaded” out of retirement to play for the HSOB Senior 1 team against Pirates at the Oval earlier in the day, stole the show when he came off the bench with eight minutes to play and scored the fourth try that gave the competition leaders a bonus point.
“I’m quite happy to stay on the bench,” said the Ormond School principal, who won the race for a kick-and-chase to dot down.
“It’s amazing; no matter how many injuries they get, HSOB can always come up with strong teams,” Farmvets YMP player-coach Reihana Wyllie said.
“We’re struggling with injuries at the moment, and it’s not getting any better with our prop Phillip Coetzee having to go off today. We’ve got a big game against Waikohu on Saturday and it’s one we need to win to stay in the top four.”
HSOB camped inside YMP territory from the kick-off but were rocked when Farmvets rightwinger Jason Kemp scored a try in the fourth minute.
YMP had been awarded a penalty and kicked for touch on the left-hand side. Skipper and blindside flanker Willis Tamatea won possession five metres from the line and after a drive to within two metres, the ball was recycled and went though the backline quickly to Kemp, who dotted down in the opposite corner. It was to be YMP’s only scoring chance in the half as HSOB took control of possession and territory for the next 36 minutes.
However, bad decisions and play that was poorly adapted to the wet conditions meant YMP were able to stay in front until seven minutes before halftime. HSOB centre Sione Tamale broke through two tackles to score a try, which first five-eighth Corey Reihana converted.
“The first half was bad but the second was very good,” Ensor said. “We played smart wet-weather rugby. Corey kept the ball in front of the forwards and eventually we put points on the board.”
Openside flanker Trent Proffit was the standout HSOB forward. Reihana, fullback Korey Love and winger Zane Boyle were the pick of the backs. Love never missed a high ball in difficult conditions, while Boyle showed his versatility when he moved into midfield in the second half after Tamale replaced halfback Andrew Knight.
Reihana stretched the HSOB lead with two penalties shortly after the break before Tamale bagged his second try in the 56th minute. Five minutes later, left-winger Manase Tupe scored a six-pointer after lock Leslie Hills pounced on a loose ball and passed to the speedster . . . it was a case of shut the gate as Tupe raced 60 metres to score, and HSOB led 26-6.
To their credit, YMP fought back and reduced the deficit with a try to prop Manu Gate 13 minutes from time, before Poole had the final say.
HSOB 32 (Sione Tamale 2, Manase Tupe, Jonathan Poole tries; Corey Reihana 2 con, 2 pen).
YMP 14 (Jason Kemp, Manu Gates tries; Brian Whaitiri-White con).
HT: 8-6 (HSOB).
OBM v PiratesFIRST five-eighth Ethine Reeves was the star of the show in Enterprise Cars OBM’s 116-0 win against Kevin Hollis Glass Pirates at the Oval. Reeves scored five of his side’s 15 tries and kicked eight conversions.
“Ethine was outstanding today,” OBM coach Stu Blair said. “As well as his tries and conversions, his line-kicking was superb. After he took over the kicking from Jake Holmes, Ethine never missed a kick.”
OBM captain Murray Hewson and Fletcher Scammell helped themselves to two tries apiece, while the remaining six tries were shared around. Flanker Lynden Manuel and prop Lance Dickson did not get on the scoresheet but Blair said both played well.
“I really don’t know what to say about the game, other than Pirates fronted up,” Blair said.
OBM 116 (Ethine Reeves 5, Murray Hewson 2, Fletcher Scammell 2, Paula Tapu, Willy Grogan, Jake Holmes, Scott McKinley, Robert Tata, Jale Tiko tries; Reeves 8 con, Holmes 5 con).
PIRATES 0.
HT: 46-0.