YMP, OBM stay at top of the table

Bracing for impact: YMP centre Mitch Purvis prepares for contact from the Pirates defence in their 59-8 win on Saturday. YMP stay on top of the table by way of points differential. But that could change this weekend as Saturday sets up a top-of-the-table clash when they face undefeated OBM. Picture by Paul Rickard

Another win, another hat-trick.

Fullback Andrew Tauatevalu picked up his third try treble in four games in top-of-the-table East Coast Farm Vets YMP’s 59-8 win over Kevin Hollis Glass Pirates on Saturday.

Larsawn Ngatapa showed determination but couldn’t stop Enterprise Cars OBM, who remained unbeaten in the Civil Project Solutions Poverty Bay premier competition with a 24-7 victory at the Oval.

GT Shearing Waikohu defended on their home battleground at Te Karaka against Earthwork Solutions HSOB, triumphing 59-24.

YMP’s bonus-point win maintained their spot at the top of the table with 20 points. OBM also have a perfect 20 but are second on points differential (165 to 92).

The teams meet to decide the first-round winners on Saturday.

Pirates coach Anthony Kiwara said he was proud of the effort his team showed against YMP on Saturday, especially in the first half.

“That was amazing,” he said. “There were a few sore bodies after that game. It’s stepping stones for us and every week the boys keep going up another level

“The more we gel together, the more the boys keep proving their worth.”

YMP coach Kahu Tamatea also gave Pirates credit.

“They came to play and took it to us. I give it to my boys for weathering the storm and ending the game strong in the last 30 minutes.”

Discipline cost YMP early as Pirates went ahead with a Siope Fakahokotau penalty kick in the fourth minute at Barry Park.

But YMP struck back with two tries to winger Stephen Blake, the second of those converted by Tauatevalu.

Pirates replied with a lineout move that has already produced success this season — quick ball to the front of the lineout and back to thrower Moui Paongo, who raced over to score in the corner in the 18th minute.

Pirates were holding their own against the defending champions who went down to 14 men when No.8 Stuart Leach was binned for what was deemed a head-high tackle near the half-hour mark.

That, though, only seemed to inspire YMP.

A try to second five Taine Aupouri began an onslaught of points in the 35th minute and Tauatevalu added the conversion.

By the second half, all cylinders were firing as YMP’s Most Valuable Player for the second week running, Tauatevalu, scored his hat-trick, and wing Te Peehi Fairlie, openside Isaiah Leach and replacement forward Hayze Nepia added five-pointers.

Tauatevalu slotted four conversions and in a tribute to his 50th cap, Shyann Wyllie was given a conversion attempt, which he knocked over.

Pirates’ MVP was first five Ale Paulo, who defended strongly and distributed the ball impressively.

YMP 59 (Andrew Tauatevalu 3, Stephen Blake 2, Taine Aupouri, Te Peehi Fairlie, Isaiah Leach, Hayze Nepia tries; Tauatevalu 6, Shyann Wyllie con)

Pirates 8 (Moui Paongo try, Siope Fakahokotau pen)