“The game started off slowly and messily for us, but we still held a lead at halftime,” Tamatea said. “Then we came out and managed to string phases together, which led to some good team tries.”
Larsawn Ngatapa coach Heith Hawea felt the green and whites played more cohesively than the previous weekend.
“That by us was a huge improvement, particularly around ruck security,” Hawea said. “That allowed us to control the tempo and find our shape.
“We had better line speed versus YMP than we had against OBM (the week before), put pressure on YMP in defence and overall and raised our intent level a few notches.”
Ngatapa kicked off and opened the scoring in the fourth minute against the run of play. YMP won a lineout 15 metres inside Ngatapa territory but two phases infield the ball was lost and second five-eighths Ricardo Patricio skilfully toed it over halfway, regathered and flew away to score in the left corner.
Patricio scored 15 points from his try, two penalty goals and two conversions including his five-pointer, which put Ngatapa 7-0 ahead.
In the eighth minute, YMP drew level. They won a lineout at the junction of Ngatapa’s 22. Over two phases of play, with good passes going to hand, fullback Andrew Tauatevalu went over and converted.
Patricio kicked his first penalty goal from 35 metres out for 10-7 in the 19th minute and 10 minutes later landed his second from 25m out for 13-7.
In the 35th minute, with rain teeming down, YMP scored the team try of the match. They fielded a Ngatapa line kick that didn’t find touch and hared off down the right sideline infield, over halfway and battled their way upfield over four phases before the length and accuracy of their long-passing game bore fruit.
Centre Ethine Reeves took a hook pass out of the right corner and improved the angle for goal-kicker Tauatevalu,
Tauatevalu did his duty, to give YMP a 14-13 lead at the break.
YMP made a powerhouse start to the second half. From an attacking lineout five metres from the goal-line, they won the ball and loosehead prop Nehe Papuni went over to increase their lead to 19-13.
YMP scored their fourth try in the 55th minute, winger Te Peehi Fairlie, with the aid of two teammates, bulldozing over the goal-line.
Halfback Ra Broughton completed YMP’s tryscorer list from the restart in the 57th minute, his efforts the result of excellent fitness, continuity and an eye for an opportunity.
Reserve centre Brian Whaitiri-White converted for 31-13.
Ngatapa reserve tighthead prop Taylor Howatson rounded off the scoring with a powerful try in the 69th minute. Patricio converted.
