YMP’s defence had been suspect in recent weeks but Waikohu gave them a workout, with No.8 Toru Noanoa and hooker Geoff Pari making several strong runs.
In the backs, Ethine Reeves and Caleb Lewis looked likely to break the line.
But YMP snuffed out attack after attack and Nathan Rangihuna, who started at centre, scored two tries — one from a charge-down and another when he scooted most of the field.
YMP lost a player to the sin-bin and Waikohu scored a try right on halftime. It was set up by a fabulous piece of handling from first five-eighth Kelvin Smith, who passed inside to Reeves, who scored.
That made it 12-7 to YMP at the break.
YMP jumped out to a 26-7 lead, with a long-range try to replacement centre Whaimotu Craft-Chemis proving crucial.
Waikohu made a late charge — Reeves skipped inside a defender for his second try and Smith dotted down, but they ran out of time to mount a serious challenge.
Waikohu coach Jason Tuapawa said YMP defended well and they had firepower off the bench in Craft-Chemis and Te Peehi Fairlie, who came on at wing.
He said Waikohu couldn’t quite make the most of their opportunities.
YMP coach Steve Smith said that, after a rough month, it was nice to put together a strong performance on the park.
Smith said the game had finals intensity from the get-go.
Waikohu were “living in our half” and “kept us under the pump for the whole 40”.
His team needed to shift the momentum in the second half.
Openside flanker Fawn White was robust in defence and second five-eighth Reihana Wyllie made some strong charges, he said.
The win for Ngatapa against HSOB was in some ways a result that had been coming, because they have often been in the fight in their games.
Ngatapa coach Steve Hickey said the result was a long time coming but well deserved.
“The boys played really well. They have shown a lot of spirit, and hung in there.”
Replacement loose forward James Maher provided leadership when he came on to the field and lock Sam McDell played well, he said.
Prop Campbell Chrisp said his team “only just got there in the end” and they “put it all on the line”.
Chrisp has only just returned from injury but should be part of the PGG Wrightson Country squad that will play against The Gisborne Herald Town next weekend.
HSOB coach Scott Leighton said his team had a big advantage in territory and possession but they weren’t clinical enough to close out the game.
He said lock Fletcher Scammell was outstanding in the lineouts and wing Tevita Nabura was sharp.
OBM captain and lock Jacob Cook said they had a good first half, and then the Pirates-GMC forward pack and skilful backline took it to them.
OBM were good in patches on defence, he said.
Second five-eighth Mark Atkins and hooker Ethan Brett both scored two tries for OBM.
OBM coach Trevor Crosby said his team used space well in the first half.
“In the second half, we hardly had the ball.”
Juston Allen, who played a full game at blindside flanker, was their player of the day.
Pirates-GMC player-coach Willie Waitoa said his team were slow out of the blocks and OBM got out to a practically unassailable lead.
Though winless, Pirates have been going quite well since sporting their new strip and they produced another strong second half.
Loose forward Will Bolingford had another standout performance, Waitoa said.
“He has been huge for us all year.”
Matt Barratt stood out at lock and Rob Broughton and Bernard Nepe were solid in the front row, he said.
When the playoffs begin next month, OBM will play YMP, with the winner to go through to the final. HSOB will play Waikohu in the match between 3 and 4 — and the loser’s season will be over.
Club rugby takes a break next week to accommodate the second Civil Project Solutions Town against Country fixture.
