Wins to YMP, Gisborne HSOB in week 2 of Poverty Bay Premier club rugby

YMP No 8 Khian Westrupp (with ball) produced a Player of the Day performance for the defending champions in their 66-5 defeat of Ngātapa in Poverty Bay premier club rugby at Paddy's Park in Pātūtahi on Saturday. Photo / Paul Rickard

Khian Westrupp is one of the movers and shakers in Premier grade club rugby.

The East Coast Farm Vets YMP No 8 produced a stellar Player of the Day showing in a 66-5 win over Larsawn Ngātapa in week 2 of Te Pae Hākari Poverty Bay men’s competition at Pātūtahi on Saturday.

With a crowd of around 400 on hand at Paddy’s Park, the hosts’ captain and lock Jack Twigley won the toss and chose to play into a prevalent northerly wind.

Westrupp opened the scoring at the half-hour mark when he came off the back of a scrum 10m from the goal-line.

His five-pointer, one of seven converted by talented first five Silas Brown, was added to when fullback Kahurangi Leach-Waihi cut the tryline a few minutes later for the first of his four tries.

Three of those were in a row – in the 34th, 42nd and 52nd minutes – and he scored the fourth in the 64th.

The visitors led only 12-0 at the break as the durable Green and Whites scrambled defensively and fought to contain their Shayde Skudder-skippered opponents.

Following the resumption, YMP moved the ball quickly and often to left wing-cum-centre Quaydon Chaffey-Kora, who scored twice.

Lock Willis Tamatea, reserve right wing Timuaki Stewart and second five Anthony Karauria also dotted down as YMP ran in eight second-half tries.

Skudder, one of the contest’s hardest hitters from the outset, was pleased with his side’s efforts.

“We played as a team, moved the ball to the edges and utilised our young speedsters, Kahu and Quaydon. We hurt all week with that loss to HSOB on Tiny White Opening Day. The boys wanted a big performance today, and we got that.”

Despite YMP’s second-half dominance, Ngātapa had a couple of milestones to celebrate.

Halfback Blake Charteris celebrated his 50th premier game for Ngātapa on Saturday. Charteris said it was "the people, the team, the camaraderie" that kept him playing the game. Photo / Paul Rickard

Halfback Blake Charteris – the hero of the 2005 Lee Bros Shield grand final, when he scored all of their points (18 in an 18-15 win over YMP) in their first championship win for 22 years – played his 50th game for the club.

Charteris later spoke about what has kept him in club rugby for more than two decades.

“The people, the team, the camaraderie ... the boys you play with, you become good friends,” he said. “We’ve got a young team, but we back each other up. The community spirit out here at Pātūtahi is brilliant. It’s great fun.”

Prop Lance Dickson, who last year played his 150th game for OBM, scored a try on debut for the Sione Ngatu-coached Ngātapa in the 48th minute and was named their Player of the Day.

Two from two for HSOB

The Blue and Whites are on the march.

Earthwork Solutions High School Old Boys (HSOB) claimed a second big scalp in 2025 grand finalists and 2024 champions Kahu Scaffolding Tapuae.

Having beaten East Coast Farm Vets YMP 20-12 on opening day, the George Halley-led HSOB defeated Tapuae 31-19 at Tapuae’s home fortress.

Wingers Bryan Howard and Josaia Bosaka Tikicidre scored three of the Blues’ five tries in a game played at pace.

“The forwards set a great platform for the backs to throw the ball around. Our goal was to push the tempo as much as possible, and we achieved that,” halfback Halley, whose team were without new head coach James Jenkins, said.

“That was a good game to be a part of, it but it was tough on the lungs for everyone, I’d say.

“We’ve been surprised that things have clicked so quickly. We thought it might take time to establish a culture and attitude. We’re over the moon with how things are going because we’ve pushed high standards and accountability since the pre-season.

“With new players coming into the side and increased competiton for jerseys, the team is now reaping the rewards.”

HSOB blindside flanker Selisio Palusa and Tapuae lock Knox Ranitu were the respective players of the day.

The Green and Blacks’ skipper and loosehead prop Wayne Hema won the toss, chose to play with the wind and his side went into the halftime break 14-12 ahead.

Referee Matt Smith suffered an Achilles injury early in the game, but soldiered on until halftime when assistant referee and fellow Wairoa-based official Lenny Ferris took over.

HSOB had try-scoring opportunities which they did not turn into more points in the first 40, while Tapuae demonstrated the ability to counter-attack.

Hema said the Taniwha showed skills in general play and in finishing, but acknowledged HSOB set the tone up front.

Tapuae coach and first five Paoraian Manuel-Harman praised the performances of halfback Kyoni Te Amo-Poki and powerful second five Filimone Drua in a depleted unit.

“With players out, HSOB took advantage. We did well for 40 minutes, and Knox scored the consolation [bonus-point] try we asked for.

“Our injury ward will clear and we will get back to our full strength. Come the last round and by the semi-finals, we’ll be a different side.”