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Home / Northern Advocate

Rugby: Kamo Premier Reserve scrum smash Wellsford

Imran Ali
Imran Ali
Multimedia Journalist·Northern Advocate·
24 Jul, 2018 08:30 PM3 mins to read
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Jaydenn Bentley-Hape of Kamo Premier Reserves scored one of five tries during their win over Wellsford. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Jaydenn Bentley-Hape of Kamo Premier Reserves scored one of five tries during their win over Wellsford. Photo / Michael Cunningham

It doesn't often happen but this year there was no stopping Kamo Premier and Premier Reserve teams being crowned Northland club rugby champs.

Okara Park was the scene of double celebration on Saturday and both teams and their fans partied late that night with the spoils they rightfully earned.

Kamo Premier Reserves beat Wellsford 32-15 before Kamo Premier defeated Waipū 35-10 in another thriller at the same venue.

Rene Ranger entering the fray for Wellsford Premier Reserve in the second half didn't yield the desired result as a superior opposition scrum almost single-handedly won them the final.

Kamo Premier Reserve coach John Pickering said their game was built around a dominant scrum and the rest of their play took care of itself.

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His team also won last year, beating Old Boys Marist but Pickering wasn't their coach then.

It's his first year coaching the side which has a good crop of young and experienced players.

"The guys were willing to put their bodies on the line, they played in positions they don't normally play in and just their passion and dedication - there's probably half a dozen who
are good enough to play in the Premier competition," he said.

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His side scored five tries through David Fotu, Kalib McDonald, Jaydenn Bentley-Hape, Dan Mason and Grayson Thyne while centre Jayden Gravatt kicked two conversions and one penalty.

"The club's absolutely buzzing. It's been quite a few years since the Prems won and for us to be able to win both is very big."

His Wellsford counterpart Kirk Sullivan was gracious in defeat, saying the in-form Kamo deserved the win.

"Kamo dominated us at scrum and starved us of possession and you've got to win upfront for any chance of winning which we didn't. But this was the first time we played in the final in a long time.

"The message at halftime was to clear up our scrum, get good and clean hook and start pushing the line and get Kamo on the backfoot in defence."

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Kirk said he was building the team and would try to do better next year.

A lot of young boys such as 21-year-old captain Josh Conolley, his brother Jaydon Conolley, and wing Talbot Kupa have had a good season, he said.

"A few young boys have got the experience to play in the Premiers and that's part of building the team up and getting them to go all the way to the final and win it," Kirk said.

His team finished third from last in 2017.

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