Wanderers number eight Craig Tansley tidies up loose ball at the back of the scrum.
Wanderers number eight Craig Tansley tidies up loose ball at the back of the scrum.
What a difference a week can make.
Where their own mothers wouldn't have recognised them in sticky mud a week earlier, all teams enjoyed firm underfoot conditions and breathless sunshine for the semifinals of the Horowhenua-Kapiti club rugby competition at the weekend.
In just seven days, bogs had turned intobowling greens, making conditions perfect for running rugby from one end of the province to the other.
In the senior competition, Paraparaumu survived a stern Shannon challenge to win their match 26-22 at Te Atiawa Park, while College Old Boys dashed Rahui hopes of going back-to-back by winning their semifinal 37-21 at Ōtaki Domain.
Rahui were defending champions and put on a good show but were cut down COB's physical running game.
COB started the game well with two early tries and led 19-3 midway through the first half when Rahui clawed their way back to stay in touch at 19-13.
But then came a turning point in the match. COB number eight Gavin Levan helped himself to an intercept when Rahui were looking likely to score at the other end.
Rahui rallied again to get within three points of COB at 24-21, but the hard-running COB forwards began to make inroads and a late try from flanker Anthony Ackerman sealed what was a deserved win.
Darren Bevan.
COB's other points came from tries to second five-eight Robbie Paia'aua and Lennox Tovo, with Tovo adding three conversions and two penalties.
Rahui's try-scorers were Paora Connor-Phillips and Morehu Connor-Phillips, while Jack Tatu-Robertsson added a conversion and three penalties.
Paraparaumu managed to see off Shannon in an arm wrestle, with neither side getting more than six points ahead of the other at any stage of their semifinal at Te Atiawa Park.
Bailey Te Tomo.
Paraparaumu's points came from a try to promising young 22-year-old prop James Gillard and an intercept try to lock Daniel Smith, while the reliable boot of halfback TJ Barnsley added crucial extras with two conversions and four penalties.
Shannon's points came from tries to openside flanker James Woodmass, fullback Bailey Taylor while first-five Arana Murphy kicked a penalty and a conversion. They also were awarded a penalty try due to foul play near the line preventing a try.
The senior reserve competition saw traditional foes Athletic and Wanderers square off at Playford Park, with Athletic winning 18-7.
Hokio Henare.
Wanderers started the match strongly with an early try and tackled hard but Athletic wore them down as the game progressed and their outside backs began to find space.
Centre Gregor McGregor scored a good try, while the other Athletic try went to Jack Young. Athletic's elusive fullback Chris Salu had his kicking boots on in landing a conversion and two penalties to keep the pressure on Wanderers at key moments.
Athletic centre Gregor MacGregor runs in a long range try.
Wanderers went close to getting the chocolates and could be pleased with their efforts after not fielding a team in recent years.
In the other semifinal, College Old Boys managed to see off Paraparaumu 22-17 at Levin Domain to give their club a chance at a rare double this weekend.
Athletic fullback Chris Salu puts on a step.
SCOREBOARD: Ramsbotham Cup Premier Competition Semifinals – July 3, 2021 At Te Atiawa Park: Paraparaumu: 26 (J. Gilland, D. Smith tries; T. Barnsley 2 con, 4 pen) v Shannon: 22 (J. Woodmass, penalty try, B. Taylor tries; A. Murphy con, pen). At Otaki Domain: College Old Boys: 37 (G. Levave 2, A. Ackerman, R. Paia'aua, L. Tovo tries; L. Tovo 3 con, 2 pen) v Rahui: 21 (P. Connor-Phillips, M. Connor-Phillips tries; J. Tatu-Robertsson con, 3 pen).
There was a good turnout of spectators at Playford Park.
Bill Muir Cup Senior Reserve Competition At Levin Domain: College Old Boys: 22 (A. Pepa, T. Prouting, H. Taiapa tries; B. Evans-Karipa 2 con, pen) v Paraparaumu: 17. At Playford Park: Athletic: 18 (G. McGregor, J. Young tries; C. Salu con, 2 pen) v Wanderers: 7.
Both locks are hoisted high at line-out time.
Club Finals Day, Saturday July 10 – Levin Domain Ramsbotham Cup Premier Final – 2.45pm Paraparaumu v Levin College Old Boys Bill Muir Cup Senior Reserve Final – 12.45pm Athletic v Levin College Old Boys
Former Horowhenua hooker Doug Easton gets a hand to wind in the fence from Mareikura Kerehoma after the match between Athletic and Wanderers.
Paraparaumu v COB semifinal 2021 at Levin Domain.
Everybody shakes hands after the game and head to the clubrooms for a meal, speeches and refreshments.
The Wanderers hooker gets a ball out to the backs.
