Of this latest performance against Tokararangi, assistant and backs coach Ian Logan — in reference to the home team at Whakarua Park — said: “These guys played well. Tokararangi scored two good tries in quick succession but we were able to regroup, sort our defensive patterns out, then shut them out in the second half, which was pleasing.”
Logan commended referee Troy Para for allowing the game to flow, despite the trying conditions.
Richardson won the toss on a damp day at East Coast Rugby Union headquarters, chose an end; Tokararangi kicked off.
Tokararangi scored the first points at the eight minute-mark. They won an attacking line-out on City's 22 and, from a set move, second-five James Warnock subsequently cut back against the tide to score. His try was converted by first-five Rapata Haerewa for 7-0 to the visitors.
Rapata Haerewa was soon into the action again: 16 minutes in, from broken play, he found newly minted Ngati Porou East Coast hero Teina Potae at halfway.
The big man, who on the left-wing scored against Poverty Bay in NPEC 28-21 win at Queen's Birthday Weekend, now from centre facilitated his club's second try, with teammate fullback Whakarae Henare giving left-wing Mohi Bartlett an assist to score in the corner. Rapata Haerewa converted Bartlett's try for 14-0.
The home team's first points came in the form of a penalty from goal-kicking lock Nathaniel Fox in the 21st minute for Ruatoria City 3, Tokararangi 14, with the hosts' centre Taiaho White crossing for their first try of the day 10 minutes later. White's try was unconverted.
Tokararangi were 14-8 up at halftime, but would not score again: in the 47th minute, Fox kicked another penalty goal for City 11, Tokararangi 14. In the 63rd minute, from a City line-out, their halfback Neihana Ratahi-Brown scooted 25m to score under the crossbar and seize a 16-14 advantage. With Fox's conversion, Ruatoria City — whose improved line-speed and communication on defence was one of their keys to victory — were 18-14 to the good.
Fox kicked a penalty goal four minutes from full-time to seal City's 21-14 win, an amazing effort against the Te Araroa-based champions. City get 20-plus players keen to tackle at training on Tuesdays and Thursdays: defence has been a team work-on in the last fortnight and that has, in their coaches' estimation, started to pay dividends.
City made their most-valuable-player award to Nathaniel Fox while Tokararangi's first try-scorer on the day, James Warnock, was their MVP.
Tokararangi captain No.8 Hone Haerewa was, as always honest: “We were good at set-piece play and the game flowed as best it could, though conditions slowed things up a little. It was tough rugby and at the end of the day, Ruatoria were simply more clinical.”
Hicks Bay took their medicine.
The Aaron King-coached Hicks Bay exemplify all that's good in club rugby: good people passionate about the game, who invest time and care in sport because of its pride of place in community life.
Still, whether they be salt of the earth or not, whoever had to play Tihirau Victory Club the week after Cape Runaway's finest suffered their first loss of the season was always going to be in for a harder afternoon than normal.
TVC won eight games in a row before falling 14-13 at home to Tokararangi, and in the absence of their regular captain openside flanker Mo Mato, were led out at Kawakawa mai Tawhiti on Saturday by a very determined Tutere Waenga.
Fullback Waenga's men won the game 29-5 but Hicks Bay coach King is a man who builds on positives.
“We played well in the first half with our pick and go. Our line-out and scrum was good too. Manahi Brooking at loosehead prop and Pamona Samupo at centre made some good runs,” said King.
“The second half was faster They kicked the ball in behind us, and their backs came up fast. They had most of the ball in the second half.”
It was raining at the kick-off: on a difficult day ball-handling wise, the skills of both teams and a fine refereeing display by Jackson Reuben-Swinton in clarity and consistency ensured the rugby was of a good standard.
Hicks Bay left-wing Rangi Te Kani-Barnett opened the home team's account with a try in the 23rd minute. There was no conversion. In the 34th minute, the visitors scored through first-five Manu Herewini, for a halftime score of 5-all.
In the 49th minute, TVC's powerful centre Tawhao Stewart scored and his game-day skipper converted that try for 12-5. Three minutes later, reserve No.8 Hoani Te Moana scored for 17-5 (his was an unconverted try) and 71 minutes in, reserve left-wing youngster William Ford scored the penultimate try of the day.
Reserve second-five Peeti Delamere scored on full-time, with a conversion by Waenga, for 29-5.
Tihirau Victory Club (21 competition points) leads Tokararangi (15pts), Ruatoria City (14pts), Uawa (who had the bye in Week 5 of the second round for the Jury Harrison Memorial Cup, 10pts), Hikurangi leads Hicks Bay on points-differential though both have eight competition points, with Tokomaru Bay United yet to take a point.
