YMP hit ground running

MEDAL WINNER: Hard-running YMP No.8 Isaiah Leach, pictured on his way to the tryline, capped a successful Poverty Bay premier club rugby season-opener by winning the Tiny White Medal for overall Most Valuable Player. His side beat High School Old Boys 59-3 as Ngatapa hosted the opening day at Paddy’s Park. Picture by Paul Rickard

Tiny White Medal honours to Leach 

IF you are going to make an early statement, the Tiny White Opening Day is the time to do it.

And that is exactly what defending champions YMP did as the Civil Project Solutions Poverty Bay premier club rugby season opened with an entertaining display for spectators at Paddy’s Park in Patutahi on Saturday.

Kevin Hollis Glass Pirates showed intent but Enterprise Cars OBM proved too strong in claiming a 45-17 victory in the first of three matches at Ngatapa’s home fortress,

GT Shearing Waikohu had a hard-earned 24-19 win over hosts Larsawn Ngatapa.

East Coast Farm Vets YMP hit the ground running in a 59-3 defeat of HSOB, with No.8 Isaiah Leach scoring the opening try and going on to win the Tiny White Medal for overall Most Valuable Player on opening day.

HSOB knew they were in for a tough first-round battle and despite the one-way scoreline, coach Wayne Ensor appreciated the commitment his team showed.

“We have had a small build-up, so we’re conscious of what these guys have given up from their families, so we’re not rushing into it,” Ensor said.

“We have heaps of new players which is a big sign for our club but we are struggling in the front-row area.”

Ensor would have preferred not to have had the defending champions first-up but felt his side went out and did their best against a well-trained and drilled opposition.

“We asked our boys to put in a performance they’re proud of, and I think, in particular in the first half, we did.

“We are definitely building and we are a step ahead of where we were last year. We have way more positives than negatives, so we will get better from that.”

YMP set a high standard and that was reflected in co-coach Mahe Lauti’s reaction to their performance.

It was a good game, he said, but “there were mistakes that we need to tidy up”.

“The fitness is not there yet — maybe in a couple games.  We appreciate HSOB for showing up for a good game.”

YMP scored nine tries and held their opposition tryless.

Fullback Andrew Tauatevalu started his season strongly with a hat-trick of tries among his individual haul of 27 points.

First five-eighth Kelvin Smith, the player-coach for Waikohu last season, got a try on debut for the black and whites.

HSOB centre Cory Reihana kicked a penalty for his side.

The MVPs for each side on the day were Leach (YMP), lock Nelson Moran (HSOB), second five Jacob Leaf (Waikohu), first five Ricardo Patricio (Ngatapa), No.8 Rikki Terekia (OBM) and No.8 Siope Pukana (Pirates).

YMP continue their campaign in two weeks with a rematch of last year’s final with Waikohu. HSOB face OBM.

The competition resumes after the Easter break.

YMP 59 (Andrew Tauatevalu 3, Isaiah Leach, Kelvin Smith, Winiata Tarawa, Mitchell Purvis, Hayze Nepia, Seth Lundon tries; Tauatevalu 6 con, Smith con)

HSOB 3 (Cory Reihana pen)