Bay of Islands prems Ohaeawai 17 Moerewa 0 (ht 7-0): The Taiamai Ohaeawai players secured bragging rights over their workmates at smoko on Monday morning at the meatworks after they beat arch rivals Moerewa in the clash of the titans from round 11 of the Bay of Islands premier club
rugby competition on Saturday.
Playing at Ludbrook Park, the homeside wore the pressure well from the competition leaders before launching a crippling counter attack instigated by 1st five Alec 'AJ' Johnson. First kicking behind the Moerewa line towards the left wing (i.e. beside the clubhouse as Ohaeawai attacked the northern end), the ball was picked up by his forwards and fed back to Johnson who then deftly chipped instantly to the right and watched it fall straight into the arms of Marac Beckham 5m short of the goal line, allowing the hooker to run unimpeded and score between the posts. Ohaeawai's highest try scorer last season, the prolific Beckham added another in the second half to earn the homeside's player of the day award, while Josh Woodman also dotted down to put the result beyond doubt.
Moerewa coach Paul Owen offered no excuses, noting the better team won on the day. "Ohaeawai played well. Couldn't play our Get out of Jail card this time. They played well, just couldn't get into the game. We hammered their line but our option taking wasn't the best."
With three games to go, Owen said Moerewa could not afford to drop its guard further. "We need to put good performances back to back from now on."
Standouts for the visitors included Justin Davies, loosie Panks in the forwards; and backs: halfback Kane Brooks, centre Henare Davis and fullback Henare Cherrington.
In other news from Ohaeawai, the side has benefited from the fallout created by the unfortunate collapse of Okaihau earlier this month by signing loosie Ray Posthumus from the defunct club. However, with Ohaeawai getting the bye next week, Posthumus will need to play the next two games - the last two of the second round - in order to be allowed to take part in the semis.
For the record, referee Neil Simpson gave Ohaeawai a total of 18 points (5/ 5 for punctuality, 5/5 for uniformity of dress, 4/5 for conduct on the field, and 4/5 for attitude) and Moerewa 17 (5, 5, 4, 3) as the contest for the Fred Taylor Memorial 'heats up'.
Kerikeri 30 South Hokianga 12: The Natives took a beeline east to meet Kerikeri and a predictable outcome resulted at Keri Rec, but not the massive walkover by the champions some might predicted. Also suggesting the Natives' improvement this season was still continuing their improvement this season with the side remaining on the cusp of a top 4 berth.
Natives coach Marty O'Halloran said Kerikeri were a good team, "technically sound" with "talent in the right places across the field" but believed the result could have been different if the visitors had got off to a stronger start. "We just took a little while to wake up, just wasn't our day." South Hokianga standouts included try scorers Selwyn Pryor and Javan Pou (back POTD), Kyle Brown (forward POTD), TW Tohu and captain Max Lloyd.
Otiria 0 Kaikohe 38: Kaikohe emerging from the battle of the Bay's cellar-dwellers with a comfortable bonus-point win.
Also, bye Kaeo.
Standings: Moerewa 47, Ohaeawai 44, Kerikeri 43, Kaeo 31; South Hokianga 24, Kaikohe 15, Otiria 0.