Pirates’ first-half points came from a try to TK Moeke, who also added the conversion.
After the break, Pirates doubled their total through a Shaun Barbara try and a Moeke conversion, but the second half belonged to a YMP side inspired by their player of the day, hooker Shayde Skudder.
“Shayde had a great game today,” YMP manager Vaughan White said.
“So did Rei (Wyllie), Willis, Isaiah (openside) and our front-rowers, Phillip Coetzer and Renata Pomana. Renata was playing his first game since getting injured in the opening round.”
Leach, son of former Turanga Health Rising Suns basketballer Brian Leach, was playing for the Whakarewa club in Rotorua, White said.
“He’s come back home and is working up the Coast. He was into everything, and was good on defence and lively on attack.”
Six-pointersWhaitiri-White, fullback Taine Aupouri and winger Jason Kemp scored six-pointers in the last 40 minutes, leaving Wyllie to have the final say with a try.
Pirates coach Steve Smith said prop Dan Serenale, centre Mita Hemo, Moeke, and halfback CJ Fox played well.
“Unfortunately, our injury list continues to grow; Ken Houkamau is out with a hamstring. But the boys kept trying.”
YMP 46 (Willis Tamatea, Jeremy Ferris, Isaiah Leach, Brian Whaitiri-White, Taine Aupouri, Jason Kemp, Reihana Wyllie tries; Brian Whaitiri-White 2 con).
Pirates 16 (TK Moeke, Shaun Barbara tries; TK Moeke 2 con). HT: 22-8.
OBM v Ngatapa¦ Aon Waikohu kept the pressure on Ngatapa for fourth place with a 36-26 win against Enterprise Cars OBM at Te Karaka.
OBM went into the game second but have dropped to third, behind YMP on points differential.
“The boys are stoked with this win,” Waikohu coach Tahi Hiroki said.
“OBM are a good team, well coached and with some very good individuals, but our boys fronted up today and I think we deserved to win.
“We were always in front but never that far ahead that we could relax, as we knew OBM would always come back at us.”
Prop Tapu Dixon posted the first points of an entertaining game when he scored a try, converted by midfield general Ethine Reeves.
Reeves then stretched the lead with a penalty, only for OBM to close the gap through an unconverted try to James Rutene.
A Larry Fleming try converted by Reeves then made it 18-6 just before halftime.
“The second half was an exciting affair but once again our supporters helped get us across the line,” Hiroki said.
Tries to Fagan Ruru and second-half replacement Rawiri Marshall earned their side a bonus point for four tries, while Reeves capped another good game with a conversion and two penalties.
Although not on the scoresheet, Waikohu openside flanker Kimihia Matiaha was their player of the day, with locks TK Tane and Shannon Cameron and blindside flanker Clem Marshall not far behind.
Rutene, Jale Tiko and Lindsay Banks scored tries for OBM, with John Jones adding a conversion but OBM coach Stu Blair was “very disappointed”.
“Waikohu deserved to win, no complaints there, they dominated but the biggest disappointment was our performance.
“Our ball handling, retention and missed tackles were a major concern, especially knowing the way we can play.”
Waikohu 36 (Tapu Dixon, Larry Fleming, Fagan Ruru, Rawiri Marshall tries; Ethine Reeves 3 con, 3 pen).
OBM 26 (James Rutene 2, Jale Tiko, Lindsay Banks tries; John Jones con))
HT: 18-6 (Waikohu).
