Teams get back what they put in to clash

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

What do you get out of a game like that?

Answer: a lot. Both the Poverty Bay and Bay of Plenty under-16 rugby teams extracted what they put in from their 34-10 clash on Saturday.

Bay of Plenty, under Aaron Bidois, took the spoils at Princes Road Reserve, Opotiki, with a crowd of 200 watching.

The ground was firm, conditions were superb. The game was played as a trial, in quarters. Hurrcanes competition matches start tomorrow.

Poverty Bay coach Wiremu Kaa said the game was played at high tempo, and he was pleased with his team’s solid showing at set-piece.

Blindside flanker Lochi Mead was excellent value at the lineout, and Bidois commended the No.6 on his work at the breakdown.

“The game was really physical — just what we needed,” Bidois said.

“They’ve got some good boys — Whetu King-Taufa at second five-eighth carries the ball strongly.

“Guys in our team stuck their hands up too. Starting blindside flanker Mitch Howe gave us 42 minutes of hard defence.”

Bay of Plenty captain and second-five Ngakohu Walker opened the scoring 10 minutes into the first half, with a conversion by first-five Austin Anderson for 7-0.

Mead scored for Poverty Bay 13 minutes in. Bay of Plenty fetcher Te Iwikino Kepa then gave the home team a 12-5 lead in the 20th minute and King-Taufa had the last word before halftime to close it to 12-10.

The hosts scored four second-half tries through halfback Bless Perese-Elliot (40th minute), BoP MVP (most valuable player) centre Jericho Yorke (45th minute, 65th minute) and fullback Brayden Dew (50th minute).

Yorke’s first try was converted by reserve first-five Shae Tukaki — a brilliant effort from the junction of the 22 and the right sideline.

Wiremu Kaa said: “Our boys stuck to their pattern and their structure — they played well.”

Poverty Bay host the Hurricanes Youth Council Under-16 Tournament from September 30 to October 3. They are in Pool 2 of Division B, contesting the Saracens Cup.