“We were giving Chris a rest to help his recovery from a shoulder injury but lost our starting halfback Tom Holland after 20 minutes, then his replacement Angus Twigley.”
The injection of the experienced Richardson and versatile Rowden, along with a few “encouraging words” from Ngatu and assistant coach David McDonald, resulted in a better performance in the second half.
Athletic coach Jimmy Whaitiri said his team played well in the first 40 minutes. Fijian Sitiveni Nasove scored a try that was converted by first five-eighth Kurt Taylor, and Taylor kicked two penalties.
“I don’t like repeating myself, but it’s the same old story — too many injuries and not enough players to cover, but a bunch of players who never give up,” Whaitiri said.
“Our No.8, Jeremy Bright, had a great game. Sitiveni and our lock Adam Sainsbury also played well, but Ngatapa deprived us of the ball in the second half as their forwards took control.”
Ngatapa flanker Alex Chrisp continued his good start to the season with a try, converted by Australian newcomer Mark Yanz (fullback), who kicked four conversions.
“Mark looked sharp and returned the ball strongly,” McDonald said.
Inspired by prop Semisi Akana, former Waikato sevens midfielder Oka Sanerivi and locks Sam McDell and Richard Webby, the green-and-whites buried their first-half blues by running in six tries in the second half.
The result sets the scene for a cracking game on Saturday when Ngatapa take on an Enterprise Cars OBM side who are one point behind them.
NGATAPA 43 (C Rowden 3, A Chrisp, S Akana, J Samuel, O Sanerivi tries; Mark Yanz 4 con).
ATHLETIC 13 (S Nasove try; K Taylor con, 2 pen).
HT: 13-7 (Athletic).
Enterprise Cars OBM moved into third spot on 13 points with a 24-16 win against Earthwork Solutions High School Old Boys at the Oval.
OBM skipper and first five-eighth Jake Holmes was full of praise for his team’s defensive effort, especially in the last 10 minutes when they were reduced to 14 men after player-coach Tom Solomon was sinbinned.
“Our defence throughout the game was what won us the points, but the boys really dug deep when T-Bone (Solomon) was shown a yellow card.
“Everyone contributed and it was great to get the win.”
High School Old Boys first five-eighth Baxter Mackay posted the first points from a penalty then added three more points before OBM halfback Willy Grogan celebrated his return from injury with a try, which Holmes converted
“Our lineouts worked well all day and Willy’s try came after a lineout and some pick-and-go moves from the forwards,” Holmes said.
“Willy then picked it up and scored.”
But Mackay had the final say of the first 40, kicking his third penalty to give HSOB a 9-7 lead at halftime.
“T-Bone told us to stick to what we were doing and keep believing in ourselves in the second half, and it worked,” Holmes said.
Holmes edged his side ahead for the first time in the game when he scored a try, “running off a good pass from Willy”.
Holmes converted and then had a hand in front-rower Anthony Kiwara’s try. Flanker Ngahiwi Manuel offloaded to Holmes, who popped a kick over the top for Kiwara to run on to.
Holmes’s conversion took OBM out to a 21-9 lead before HSOB back Andrew Tauatevalu scored a try after an intercept. Mackay’s conversion closed the gap to five points. HSOB then camped on the line before OBM broke away and Holmes sealed the win with a penalty on fulltime.
Outstanding for OBM in a team effort were blindside flanker Te Otene Ria, Grogan and winger Vonijiasi Denicaucau.
OBM 24 (W Grogan, J Holmes, A Kiwara tries; Holmes 3 con, pen).
HSOB 16 (A Tauatevalu try; B Mackay con, 3 pen).
HT: 9-7 (HSOB).
