Uawa fullback BJ Sidney’s tactical kicking was superb. His cleverness and eye for space kept the Ian Logan-led Ruatoria team pinned in their own half.
Juston Allen scored the second try from a pick-and-go play close to the posts.
Gutsy defence by — among others — Ngati Porou East Coast centurion Charlie Harrison and Neihana Brown-Ratahi on Ruatoria’s line held up surging efforts by Uawa No.8 Harley Phillips, Laman Davies and Mike Chambers-Raroa.
Referee Les Thomas was in excellent position on all three occasions to make the correct call.
A slick pass from Richardson inside the Ruatoria 22 was enough to see Stewart in for his first try to the right of the posts for 15-0. Te Peehi Fairlie dribbled the ball three times to score, having set off from just behind halfway.
Richardson’s conversion made the score 22-0 at the break, with Ruatoria’s main contribution to the game being commitment in defence. Their lock Callan Whaitiri-White made an outstanding cover tackle on Whakataka.
Ruatoria fought hard on the resumption, veteran prop Colin Skudder charging at the line early on.
The whole game was hard, clean and fair. Fairlie and Hayden Pardoe made great hits on Ruatoria’s Brian Whaitiri-White and Moana Nuku returned a first half-favour on Whakataka’s behalf, nailing Callan Whaitiri-White with another driving tackle.
Uawa wrapped up proceedings with memorable tries to Stewart and Smith.
After four phases of play and three sets of hands in the ensuing move, Phillips passed to Stewart, who hared down the left sideline. His crushing fend on Keenan Kaiwai was that try’s defining quality.
Superb footwork from Smith — again off a Phillips assist to the left — ended the scoring.
At the start of the game, Ruatoria had only one reserve player; by game’s end, they had two, yet the pace, intensity and contact of Barry Cup rugby is difficult to withstand for 17 men.
Thomas, assistant referee Colin Shanks and touch judge Nigel McGrannachan did a good job in bleak conditions offset by spirited play and camaraderie between the teams.
Uawa co-captains Phillips and Sidney took their hats off to Ruatoria for keeping Barry Cup rugby alive by competing hard despite their low numbers.
Phillips said: “We wanted to play what was in front of us and Kelvin (Smith) reads the game well. His speed asks questions of the defensive line.”
Ruatoria’s Harrison said: “The Barry Cup’s special to us. Jury, my dad, put a lot of effort into it on our behalf. Although we lost, we gave them a game. We gave it our best.”
