Semifinalists decided on the Coast

IN SCORING FORM: Pamona Samupo, here playing for Ngati Porou East Coast against Poverty Bay, scored two tries for Tokararangi in their 20-6 win against Tokomaru United. Picture by Paul Rickard

TVC, Ruatoria City, Tokararangi and Tokomaru United were vying for two places in the semifinals of the Ngati Porou East Coast club rugby competition when the whistles went at 2.30pm on Saturday.

Eighty minutes of play later, TVC had secured third spot in the competition — and will play second-placed Hikurangi at Ruatoria on Saturday — while Tokararangi nabbed fourth spot and will play first-placed Uawa at Uawa Domain.

Tokararangi v Tokomaru UtdTokararangi travelled to Tokomaru Bay to take on United. Both teams had their first-choice players and the game started strongly. Toka were soon awarded a penalty. First five-eighth Rapata Haerewa gained plenty of ground when he kicked for touch, and Toka went well into United territory after winning the lineout.

At the 10-minute mark, Toka were awarded an easily kickable penalty in front of the posts, but decided to go for a try. Haerewa kicked the ball out and Toka won the lineout and a forward rush ended in flanker Hori Shaw scoring a try, which was not converted. The game continued mainly inside the United half, although United did get a penalty near the Toka sticks but Jason Babbington failed to convert.

Both sides were winning their scrums and lineouts, Shaw jumping well for Toka and lock Adam Williams winning ball for Toka. Toka were winning the loose play, disrupting United moves and turning defence into attack time after time.

Pamona Samupo scored Toka’s second try after a long, multi-sidestepping run along the sideline and then coming round to dot down between the posts. The conversion attempt missed. United replied with a 30-metre back movement that took them to the Toka 22, but they lost the lineout ball. United were dropping crucial passes as the ball moved out wide.

On the other hand, Toka showed good skills and made few mistakes. Their defence counted most times — they either tackled the ball-carrier or pushed him into touch. Backs and forwards were involved in strong attacking moves. Near the end of the second half, Samupo scored a repeat of his first try, weaving his way through the defence and coming round under the posts. Haerewa converted.

Just before halftime, United pressed on the Toka line for several minutes. The big United men, particularly prop Mike Chambers and lock Saul Parata, made one burst on the line after another, but the Toka defence held firm with strong, low tackles. United did get over the line, but the try was disallowed and Toka led 20-0 at halftime.

The second half was more even, due to Toka mistakes, and United picked up a try by Petera Smith. Twice in five minutes Toka had penalties, kicked out by Haerewa but the ball was not put into the lineout straight, so United were awarded a scrum.

Right at the end of the second 40 the Toka backs got away, and looked like they were going in for their fourth try and bonus point, but the pass to the wing was high. United centre Stefan Destounis picked up the ball and sidestepped his way past numerous Toka players . . . when he was finally tackled, the whistle blew.

Tokararangi 20 (Pamona Samupo 2, Hori Shaw tries; Rapata Haerewa con) Tokomaru United 6 (Petera Smith try).

HT: 20-0.

TVC v Ruatoria CityThe game between TVC and Ruatoria City was fairly even, although TVC were helped by a significant wind in the second half, TVC player-coach Whetu Haerewa said. Prop Joshua McDonald, who was sent off the previous week, was cleared by the judiciary to play on Saturday.

“Our bench was probably the difference today,” Haerewa said.

TVC 24 (Hirini Delamere, Tevita Ahoafi, Moana Mato tries; Manaia Nyman con, pen, Benny Haerewa pen) Ruatoria City 12 (Pera Bishop, Nate Fox tries).

Uawa v WaiapuFirst five-eighth BJ Sidney’s hat-trick of tries and halfback Sam Parkes’s five conversions made Uawa’s match against Waiapu at Rangitiukia memorable for the visitors. Uawa co-coach Peter Crawford said his team were trying different combinations.

Sidney’s first try came in the first few minutes of the game, and several of Parkes’s conversions were kicked from near the sideline. Waiapu scored a try just before halftime and also began the second half with a try, Crawford said. The host team played well, with first-five Tojo Maaka and the two big men outside him making an impact.

Uawa 46 (BJ Sidney 3, Rocky Monika, Tawho Stewart, Rikki Kernohan tries; Sam Parkes 5 con) Waiapu 26 (Nathan Huriwai, Tojo Maaka, Tihei Turei, Keagan Hartshore tries; Tojo Maaka con)

Hicks Bay v TawhitiHicks Bay hosted Tawhiti’s young team on Saturday. Hicks Bay manager Graeme Summersby said Tawhiti played hard and did well in the lineouts, but their scrums weren’t good.

Despite the absence of player-coach Tyrone Delamere, the more experienced Hicks Bay men were able to rack up a high score.

Hicks Bay 64 (Frank Taiapa 4, Jim Hovell, Sean Murtagh, Leyth Delamere, Tamati Delamere, Keith Henderson, Joshua King tries; Wayne Young 2 con) Tawhiti 0.