“Our boys stayed in their structure and played 80 hard minutes,” Mato said.
“We took every points-scoring opportunity on offer against a team who counter-ruck out wide and are always dangerous, so we’re stoked.”
No.8 Hoani Te Moana and right-wing Tawhao Stewart scored tries for TVC; centre Tutere Waenga kicked two penalty goals and two conversions, and locks Manaia Nyman and Peeti Delamere each kicked penalties.
Delamere and hooker Te Taawhi Takuira-Mita were named TVC MVPs (most valuable players).
Uawa openside flanker Te Atapo Kirikiri and halfback Sam Parkes scored tries.
Parkes converted both and landed two penalties.
TVC led 13-6 at the break.
Ruatoria City’s last campaign ended on July 6, 2019, with a 31-5 loss to Tokararangi at Te Araroa Domain.
Two years on, the Lisa Muller-coached City returned in triumph and all that was wanting at the Whakarua Park game was a flourish of trumpets.
City fullback Leethan Tipene-Rawiri scored four tries, lock Nathaniel Fox scored one, and Fox also kicked four conversions.
Their opponents, led by loosehead prop Mike Chambers-Raroa, fought hard to contain them.
“Our tight five scrummaged well but we still have work to do defensively, in terms of making first-up tackles, and around the fringes,” Chambers-Raroa said.
United coach Kuru Gray acknowledged the courage shown by his side.
“Our boys reduced City’s scoring in the second half and stuck it out for 80 minutes,” he said.
Tokomaru Bay United’s try-scorer was fullback Uzi Parata while their MVP was fetcher Barney Devery.
Hikurangi bounced back from their opening loss to TVC with a pressure-filled win against Hicks Bay at Kawakawa mai Tawhiti.
The Maunga led 15-10 at halftime, having scored the opening try through centre Karauria Keelan. It was converted by second-five Jacob Leef.
Hikurangi’s other first-half points-scorers were fullback Fabyan Kahaki, with a penalty, and No.8 Barry Solitt, with a try.
They were worth their five-point lead in a hard-fought, intensely physical meeting.
Hooker Hone Brooking scored Hikurangi’s last try and only points of the second spell.
Halfback Hona Delamere, first-five Shaun Murtagh and centre Rawiri Hoerara scored tries for Hicks Bay, with one conversion coming from the boot of lock Manahi Brooking.
TVC top the table with the maximum 10 points from two games. Uawa are on six (2 games played), Ruatoria five (1), Tokararangi four (1), Hikurangi four (2), Hicks Bay one (2) and Tokomaru Bay zero (2).
