“It didn’t look like a penalty try to us but I’m keen to see it on the video. Apart from that, I thought the referee had a good game.”
Whaitiri-White kicked a penalty to seal the win, before Fleming added his second try.
“Our fowards won the game for us,” YMP manager Vaughan White said.
“They dominated possession. Our prop Rocky King was outstanding, Willis (Tamatea, captain and No.8) was his normal self. He never stopped working and was always dangerous with the ball in hand. Jimmy Wilson and Rewi Williams (blindside flanker) also stood out.
“It was a good win for us, especially with OBM losing to Ngatapa. It really makes the competition interesting.
“And Waikohu showed they are not out of the race for a spot in the top four. They’re getting better with every game.”
Fleming was Waikohu’s man of the match, with No.8 Tapu Dixon and utility back Brad Haimoana also outstanding.
“We’re still gelling as a team and the boys are growing in confidence,” Hiroki said.
“It’s a big step up from senior one to premier, and not just the fitness side of it. You can’t afford a day off. Every week is a tough game.”
YMP 30 (Jimmy Wilson 2, Reihana Wyllie, penalty try; Brian Whaitiri-White con, pen, automatic two points for penalty try).
Waikohu 24 (Larry Fleming 2, Fagan Ruru tries; Ethine Reeves 2 con, pen).
HT: 20-10 (YMP).
*
OPENSIDE flanker Trent Proffit continued his run of good form with another man-of-the-match display as High School Old Boys beat Pirates 28-18 at the Oval on Saturday.
“Trent was outstanding,” Woodbank HSOB coach Wayne Ensor said.
“That’s the second week in a row he’s been our man of the match. Tevita (Maka, No.8) wasn’t far behind.
“Pirates played well, and at 14-12 to us just after halftime they could have won it with the bounce of the ball, although I felt we were always in control.”
Kevin Hollis Glass Pirates’ cause was not helped by the loss of first five-eighth Carl Riini with a dislocated kneecap and, 10 minutes later, second five-eighth Dylan Tuhura with concussion.
Riini’s injury caused the game to be held up for 10 minutes. When Tuhura followed shortly after, coach Steve Smith had to change his backline.
“I brought TK (Moeke, blindside flanker) back into the backs. Considering the injuries, the boys who came on played exceptionally well.
“We worked hard on our defence this week after last week (when they conceded 66 points against OBM) and apart from the odd lapse it was pleasing.
“Even though we lost, the boys played well. I’m really proud of them.
“Devonte Martin (centre) was our player of the day. During a period of HSOB dominance, he must have made seven tackles in succession. He’s only 18 but he’s a sensible lad who has his feet on the ground.
“I’m picking that if he keeps up this form he’ll be in the mix for the Bay side to play the Coast in a couple of weeks.”
HSOB left-winger Evan Bryant and Proffit scored first-half tries, with Corey Reihana kicking a conversion as the competition leaders went to the break leading 14-6. Tip Jones scored a six-pointer for Pirates.
Shortly after the restart, prop Rob Broughton closed the gap to two points with a try and it was “game on”. But HSOB regrouped and stretched their lead through tries to Kolo Fonohema and Matekairoa McGuire, with James Warren kicking a conversion.
Pirates winger Jordan Matenga had the final say with a try, but HSOB held on to win. As well as Martin, the Pirates players who stood out were skipper Ken Houkamau, who passed a late fitness test, prop Anthony Kiwara and, making his debut, Wiremu Reihana.
HSOB 28 (Evan Bryant, Trent Proffit, Kolo Fonohema, Matekairoa McGuire tries; Corey Reihana con, James Warren con).
Pirates 18 (Tip Jones, Rob Broughton, Jordan Matenga tries).
HT: 14-6 (HSOB).
