Lock Makaia Allen won Horouta’s Most Valuable Player award for his disciplined but hard defence and, though he could and did run, his unselfishness.
Fullback Te Ratu Walker scored twice, with a try each to captain hooker Rylin Rasmussen, Makaia and openside flanker Elijah Kaui. Halfback Che Gibson-Park and second-five Torrence Kennedy both kicked conversions for Horouta.
Ngatapa captain No.8 George Gillies and second-five Charlie Bennett scored their tries, with blindside flanker William Matthews converting both.
“It was tough — Horouta were the better team on the day,” said George. “Jack McNaught at centre was our MVP and I thought that William (Mathews) — among others — had a great game too.”
OBM showed real spirit.
The Phil Viljoen-coached Pirates were worthy winners — 55-17 — despite a courageous three-try comeback by OBM.
Pirates captain No.8 David Gray opened the scoring: second-five Malachi Tea, fullback Zane Huriwai and halfback Messiah Tiopira also scored first-half tries: openside flanker Philburgh Viljoen junior converted Zane’s second try for a 27-0 lead at the break.
Following the resumption, Zane scored again: his hat-trick try was converted by Philburgh for 34-0. Then speedster Owen Buchanan, right-wing cum centre, scored OBM’s first try; Horouta centre Mahonri Aupouri and his teammates right-wing Whaimuri Gear and loosehead prop Deaveaon Cashmore then put the result beyond doubt, Philburgh converting the last three tries. Not to be outdone, Owen scored his second try and left-wing Kauri Holmes scored the last try of the match and converted it: a brilliant effort from 25m back, 3m to the left of the posts in his first season . . . having just played a game of football to boot.
“We improved our mauling play from the Horouta game last week, and even turned some of Pirates’ ball over in that phase,” said OBM co-coach Steph McClutchie, who was previously with Auckland club Ardmore-Marist.
“We’ll keep working.”
