Tasty try fare in Toko’s two

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

Hatea-a-Rangi Memorial Domain was a happy place on Saturday.

The beating heart of rugby in Tokomaru Bay was the venue for two fast and furious games at the weekend, with a gutsy Waima side making last year’s beaten finalists Tihirau Victory Club work hard for their 17-7 win.

In Game 2 at the Domain, Uawa scored eight tries to one. Blindside flanker Jesse Rye bagged a double in the big blue crew’s 54-7 result against Tokomaru Bay United.

Rye scored probably the try of the week in a movement that began just outside his own 22.

First-five Josh Dearden put up a bomb over halfway, down the right sideline, which Rye caught, and the Uawa man went by three United players to catch the high ball, then accelerate to score out wide.

It was a stupendous feat of timing, athleticism and grunt. Uawa led 33-0 at the break but loosehead prop Race Williams’ second-half try, converted by first-five Jason Babbington, drew a mighty roar from The United Faithful. From a goal-line ruck against near-impossible odds, he heaved 6m to score 7m in from the left corner.

Powerful TVC No.8 Hoani Te Moana scored a super try to open the scoring in the Moana Mato-led outfit’s 12-point win against Waima, having led 10-0 at the break.

Te Moana’s steadfast teammate, left wing Kahutia Te Rangi Keelan, likewise scored on debut for the Victory Club. The green and whites of Waima scored a try to savour, courtesy of blindside flanker-come-No.8 Kaleb Whakataka, and it was one of opening day’s great moments.

Waima have as their skipper a forward of great toughness and respect, both on and off the field in the New Zealand Army captain, No.8-come-tighthead prop Hakarangi Tichborne, a former Heartland 15 representative.

Ruatoria City claimed wins by default against Tokararangi in the men’s and women’s grades. There were crowds of 300 per venue at Kawakawa Mai Tawhiti, Wharekahika and Hatea-a-Rangi Memorial Domain, taking in skilful rugby on a historic day.