Rugby: Don't write us off, say champs

Hastings West winger Matariki Lauder caught by his Wairoa opposite Barnaby Couper-Harker during his team's 15-12 win yesterday. Photo / Warren Buckland

Defending champions Hastings East suffered their first loss in three years on day two of the Wakely Shield rugby tournament at Taradale yesterday.

But if there was any dejection in the camp, they were quick to shake it off after their 19-17 loss to Napier West in a thriller at Carters Arms Park. Manager Kieran Horsefield pointed out their quest for a three-peat is far from over. "The boys will be bouncing back. Their heads are still held up high .. there's another three days to go, anything can happen."

Like Napier West coach Aaron Martin, Horsefield described the game as "a fantastic, titanic battle" and they weren't wrong. While Martin's lads were always in front, Hastings East could have drawn level with a conversion with 10 minutes remaining.

"We had our opportunities out wide but we failed on occasions to get the ball to our fast wingers," Horsefield said.

He said his team came into the 12th edition of the tournament which caters for players under-50kg a little underdone as last week's wet weather prevented them from having any pre-tournament games.

Hooker Billy Dagg, a nephew of All Black Israel Dagg, joined flankers Jack Lawson and Joshua Quinn and prop Jack McCarthy as inspirational figures in the winning pack.

First-five Jake Christian-Goss directed his backline well and kicked what proved to be a couple of crucial conversions.

Hastings East winger Raymond O'Rourke produced some outstanding defensive work. Powerful No8 Cameron Cargill and openside flanker Dallas Hemi-Mason had massive workrates for the Hastings East pack.

While Martin's team won't be taking the winless Saracens and Wairoa teams lightly, he can understand why there is already talk suggesting their game on Friday against Napier East will be the title decider.

"We beat Napier East twice in pre-tournament games. The last time it was 26-12 and, if that happens again, we'll be happy."

Lock Lanson Randell, son of former All Black captain Taine Randell, captured player-of-the-match honours in Hastings West's 15-12 victory against Wairoa. Captain and No8 Stanley Baty and flanker Lochie Harr were prominent as Wairoa displayed vast improvement from the previous day.

Napier East secured top spot with maximum points from a 36-15 win against a Saracens outfit which can also place a tick in the improvement box. Second five-eighth Afa Moleli was again a rock in the Napier East backline.

Saracens captain Liam McCarthy, a talented halfback, and flanker Plum Pearce shone with their contributions to the Saracens effort.

If Hastings East pip Napier East in today's noon encounter they will return to contention. Napier West start as favourites against Wairoa in a 1.15pm match as will Hastings West against Saracens (2.30).