Despite dominating possession and territory for the opening 18 minutes, Waikohu found themselves behind after YMP left wing Jeremy Ferris finished off a move started by hooker Shayde Skudder, who was YMP player of the day.
Skudder pounced on a loose ball and made a strong run up the middle before the ball went quickly through the hands of fullback Kahu Tamatea, centre Te Peehi Fairlie and first five-eighth Brian Whaitiri-White, who set Ferris on his way.
YMP were unlucky not to have added to their lead four minutes later when right wing Winiata Tarawa chased a high up-and-under kick from halfback Quinnton Pari-Collins. Tarawa looked to have taken the ball cleanly in the air before he raced towards the posts, only for referee Matt Smith to rule that Tarawa had knocked on as he claimed possession.
Waikohu showed why they are unbeaten and favourites to win their first Lee Bros Shield final with a try to star fullback Ethine Reeves, converted by in-form first five-eighth Kelvin Smith, to give Waikohu a 7-5 lead after 26 minutes.
The men from Te Karaka continued to enjoy possession and field position but were again hit on the counter-attack when Ferris bagged his second try, courtesy of a Tamatea/Whaitiri-White move that ended with Tamatea drawing the last man before passing to Ferris.
Whaitiri-White landed a superb sideline conversion and then added a penalty as the teams headed to the middle with YMP in front 15-7.
After Tuapawa’s “stern words”, Waikohu struck early in the second half when halfback Hamuera Baker scored his first try for the club.
Smith then showed why he is the leading contender for the Poverty Bay No.10 jersey when he scored two classy tries, both of which he converted. He earned two performance points, one behind prop Jarryd Broughton, in the contest for the most valuable player award. Reeves picked up one point.
“Jarryd had a big game for us but, like everyone in the squad, he knows he has to keep performing,” Tuapawa said. “The competition for starting places is intense, with only three games to go before the playoffs.”
YMP coach Steve Smith was disappointed with his team’s second-half display but praised Waikohu.
“They’re a very good side and had obviously done their homework on us after the first-round match.
“I thought their props Jarryd Broughton and Toru Noanoa got the better of our props today, but some good things came out of the game for us and we’ve got three more matches to fine-tune things before the semis.”
Waikohu 26 (K Smith 2, E Reeves, H Baker tries; K Smith 3 con).
YMP 15 (J Ferris 2 tries; B Whaitiri-White, con, pen).
HT: 15-7 (YMP).
¦ Larsawn Ngatapa minus five regulars, were forced to work hard for their 24-17 win against Charteris Choppers Athletic at Wairoa.
“Athletic played really well and had us under a lot of pressure in the second half,” said Ngatapa co- coach David McDonald.
“Sione (co-coach) had to start and he had a stormer, especially in the last 40. Defensively he was very strong.
“Campbell Chrisp (returning form a hand injury) also played well. James Law (up from the senior one team) had a good game but Athletic deserve a lot of credit.”
Ngatapa led 19-3 at halftime before Athletic staged a fightback that had them within a converted try of a draw.
NGATAPA 24 (C Rowden 2, A Twigley, M Raleigh tries; M Raleigh con, P Livingston con).
ATHLETIC 17 (Scorers not available).
