Waikohu Golf Club is hosting rounds 9 and 10 of the Tairāwhiti men's interclub pennants. Photo / Chris Taewa
Hukanui Brown has a sweet tooth.
He loves the nectar taste that accompanies victory.
He loathes the acridness endured in bitter defeat, which is a big reason he has forged a near-perfect record in the 2026 Tairāwhiti men’s interclub pennants as it hurtles towards its business end.
The 12 competing teams head up State Highway 2 on Saturday, bound for Waikohu Golf Club and rounds 9 and 10 of the matchplay series.
Brown, who has a record of five wins and a half from his six matches so far, is once again in the No 1 spot for defending champions Pātutahi Blue, who face two formidable foes – hosts Waikohu in the morning and series leaders Poverty Bay in the afternoon.
Waikohu, with Mahia warhorse Peter Bremner at the top of the order, will have targeted this day as a fruitful one and the chance to make a significant advancement on the points table.
The Eddie Brown jnr-captained Blue picked up maximum points at their Tahi stronghold two weeks ago. Saturday is the opportunity to consolidate or improve on their second-place position.
That will, though, require getting one over a Poverty Bay side whose eyes are focused fully on the title-winning prize.
They have lost Waka Donnelly, who has a new job in Hawke’s Bay, but depth is their strength.
PB have two of the district’s form players in Anaru Reedy and Hayden Keast in their top two slots – Keast having won all five matches he has played this series and No 3 Dan Collier with almost as impressive a record of five wins and just the one defeat.
Their tussle with Blue, for whom teenager Marcus Gray has contributed five victories, could well be a rehearsal for the final itself.
The race for the top four playoffs appears to be down to six with three points rounds to go ... Poverty Bay (50 points); Tahi Blue (45); Te Puia Hot Springs (40); Tolaga Bay (39); Poverty Bay 2 (38) and KHG Electrinet Park 1 (35).
The Springs will need the likes of Thomas Donovan (four wins) to step up again as they sharpen their swords and shine the armour for combat with Pātutahi Black and Poverty Bay 2.
Park 1’s Matt Henwood, with five wins, has been one of the series’ shining lights and his team should be too strong for Park 2 in the morning, before confronting Waikohu.
Points are vital for a PB 2 team on the top four cutline – especially as Tolaga Bay 1 are expected to have a productive day against bottom-of-the-table Tairāwhiti Development and Tolaga Bay 2.
Tim Adamson, with four wins and a half, has been a revelation for TB1.
The Waikohu course, however, has great potential to be a leveller. And with the pressure mounting, David’s sling could fell more than one Goliath.
Teams for rounds 9 and 10
Pātutahi Blue: Hukanui Brown, Eddie Brown Jnr, Marcus Gray, Watene Brown.
Waikohu: Peter Bremner, Terry Reeves, Mike Christophers, Richard Reeves, Adrian Wyrill.
Pātutahi Jedi: Neil Hansen, Dwayne Russell, Lyall Anania, Hamish Harris, Korban Harrison-Allen.
Poverty Bay: Anaru Reedy, Hayden Keast, Dan Collier, Simon Jeune, Tony Akroyd.
KHG Electrinet Park 1: Matt Henwood, Ian Loffler, Craig Christophers, Bailey Matoe.
KHG Electrinet Park 2: Selwyn Peneha, Anthony Pahina, Reuben Maynard, John Collier Jnr.
Tolaga Bay 1: Bruce Yates, Brad Reynolds, Taine Lincoln, Tim Adamson.
Tairawhiti Development: Kymani Tamatea, Jordan Haley, Shannon Ratima, Mikaera Aurupa, Leighton Aupouri, Rua Ratima.
Te Puia Hot Springs: Wade Wesche, Tom Donovan, Makau Phipps, Ian Logan.
Pātutahi Black: Regan Hindmarsh, Reef Pohatu, Rios Moleta, Reuben Mottart.
Poverty Bay 2: Pete Anderson, Craig Palmer, Peter Stewart, Pat Butler.
Tolaga Bay 2: Wiremu Aupouri, BJ Sidney, Will Yates, Rongo Pomana.