Super games in U13 rugby

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

The Poverty Bay under 13 weight-restricted grade saw two super games at the weekend.

Ngatapa — on their club day and in excellent conditions at Paddy’s Park, Patutahi — beat a brave OBM crew 34-22. It was Ngatapa 22 OBM 7 at the break but the visitors made a rampaging start, fought to contain the home team, later rallied and finally scored the last try, on fulltime.

OBM lock Dale Kernohan swooped 40m off the left sideline to open the scoring after three minutes of play; his try — converted by lock Felix Sparks — set a tone of enterprise for the game.

In the fifth minute, from a midfield scrum just outside the OBM 22, outstanding Ngatapa blindside flanker William Matthews scored in response. Matthews converted his own try for 7-all.

Equally well-performed second-five Charlie Bennett was the next to score for Ngatapa in the 19th minute for 12-0. Then halfback Tom Fletcher grabbed a try at the 22nd minute for 17-7, and at the 27-minute mark Ngatapa left-wing Angus Allen scored their fourth try for 22-7.

Allen was tremendous in the first half. He made four strong runs, including a 15m break — followed by a 5m surge through would-be tacklers in the same passage of play — and soon after that recovered to save a dangerous grubber-kick near halfway.

Ngatapa openside flanker Hamish Swann made a 15m break of his own towards the end of the first half; in the second half too he was never far from the ball and featured in a lot of play.

The second half saw OBM hold their hosts to just one more converted try, and pick the cudgels back up with a try to second-five Levi Hune 56 seconds after the break. Three excellent phases of play led to Hune’s try: he is quick, and has great footwork and spatial awareness.

Halfback Riker Rolls’ good service and accurate passing facilitated quality rugby from OBM throughout.

Swann batted a loose ball back to Bennett in the 38th minute to score (with Matthews’ conversion, it was 29-12), but OBM would not give in.

Right-wing Sariah Houia scored next for OBM in the 40th minute and, in the 55th minute, Bennett ran 50-plus metres — Hune closing fast on him in the last 25 — for 34-17.

OBM loosehead prop Tamati Kururangi had the last word with a try for OBM on full-time.

OBM’s Most Valuable Player award was jointly made to Kernohan, hooker Tyler Rolls and captain first-five Phoenix Pardoe-Crosby.

Ngatapa’s MVP award was shared between Matthews and tighthead prop James McKay.

It didn’t end there.

In a grade fast getting attention for the closeness of games, Ngatapa’s 34-22 win against OBM wasn’t the neck-and-neck affair High School Old Boys’ 31-27 victory over Pirates at Waikirikiri Park was.

“HSOB are a good scrummaging team. We took our chances with the odd broken tackle and our backs’ quickness,” said Pirates MVP captain No.8 David Gray.

“It was played in a good spirit — it’s an even competition, well set-up and we’re enjoying our rugby.”

HSOB halfback Jonah Whitley scored two tries, first-five Jayden De Thier, reserve tighthead prop Joel Pearse and reserve No.8 Quinn Lockwood scoring one try apiece, with three conversions from captain fullback Maxwell Kennedy.

HSOB MVP was shared by their best forward, lock Jemima Evans, and their best back, left-wing Sean Penfold.

Pirates’ openside flanker Philburgh Viljoen scored two tries with one each to Gray, right-wing Whaimuri Gear and second-five Malachi Tea, fullback Zane Huriwai converting Gray’s try.