Bay of Islands semis
Ohaeawai 23 Moerewa 7 (ht 7-7): Ohaeawai booked its place in the Bay of Islands premier final in Kerikeri next week thanks to a comprehensive second half performance in front of a large crowd at Ludbrook Park in overcast but dry conditions on Saturday.
While the first half was even, the defending champions were restrained with surprising ease in the second half through forward pressure and a clever kicking game. Midway through the spell, the Ohaeawai players developed a taste for taking drop kick pot shots and of a number of attempts, three were successful and put the result beyond the visitors grasp. Proceedings by this stage almost seemed to turn into a game of cat-and-mouse for Ohaeawai. They'd take the foot off the visitors throat and allow them to have the odd run before turning the ball over and tactically kicking it back into gaps behind the opposition's defensive line.
Ohaeawai's influential playmaker AJ Johnson noted the tactical kicking game paid off once Moerewa needed to score twice to win.
"Got to get their big boys going backwards. We played for 80 minutes this time, not 40." Tries by Timoti Marino (the prop also earning his side's standout player award) and Marac Beckham, both converted by Brendon Green, with drop kicks by AJ Johnson and Beckham 2; also notable was veteran Pauly Maihi back and doing the damage from No.8.
Afterwards, Moerewa's Paul Owen said he had never been more frustrated watching his team play second fiddle in the second half; particularly considering his side had failed to take advantage of a number of line breaks created by first five Steve Pene in the first half.
"I was disappointed. I don't mind getting beaten but to play like that... What a waste of the last six months. I haven't been brassed off like this for a long time. What had started to be a difficult year, then to get in this position where we were and not perform."
Owen didn't particularly take to the suggestion the result meant he could now relax for the season. "I would rather be playing next week."
He also reserved praise for Ohaeawai's AJ Johnson. "He's a class act, always thought of him as one of the best first fives in the business. He led that team around the field very well in the second half. But the Moerewa coach proved gracious in defeat.
"Big congratulations to Ohaeawai they were more hungry, deserve to be there. We got a lot of respect for those guys, a lot of us work together, we give each other stick every time one or the other loses," said Owen, although he was not looking forward to the inevitable bragging rights at work over summer.
"We will let this sink in. Big thanks to all the people behind us this season, especially our sponsors, and sorry to our supporters expecting big things which we didn't deliver." Moerewa try by Ants Ngawati, converted by Steve Pene who was a standout alongside Hari Ngawati, captain Marshall Ruka, and fullback Steve Watene.
It has to be said the highly anticipated match up didn't quite generate the same electricity seen the previous week's thriller. It also was for Ohaeawai (champions in 2010, and finalists last year), in some ways, their second final in as many weeks. They prepare to play their third in Kerikeri this coming Saturday.
Kerikeri 20 Kaeo 8 (ht 8-3): Kerikeri booked its spot in the season finale for the first time in years. Admittedly, no one expected the side to capitulate to a team it had beaten 7-69 only weeks ago but all were aware semi final rugby was a different ball game all together. In the end, tries by Langi Vea, Jack Ram and Fred Tavita, Sam Boyd kicking a penalty and conversion put the homeside through.
Manager Ally Fletcher said the club was "buzzing" on Saturday although she admitted the game itself was not that great a spectacle. No matter; the whole town could be excited to have their team in the drivers seat heading into the season finale in Kerikeri this Saturday.
"We haven't had it in years. Going to be an awesome day. Everyone's really looking forward to it. We [Kerikeri] have been preparing for this all season."
The Kaeo match report noted a great effort and the score at 3-3 was not enough to stop the competition leaders scoring from a cruel bounce of the ball just before half time.
"The Citrus Boys piled on the pressure in the second half through their bigger pack to wear Kaeo down and manage a further two tries. We are not one to criticise, nor sore losers but some of the ref's decisions went beyond us. Afterwards, the boys were proud of their achievements for the season and gave a big thank you to their supporters and sponsors."
Kaeo try by Nathan Williams, penalty by Quin 'Ever Steady' Butler; standouts: Chase Komene (best back), Matarae Tauroa (best forward), and Joe 'Hard Man' Parkinson (overall); also notable were, forwards Kevin Tauroa, Corey Dalley and Drian Haretuku, and Matiu Kahle in the backs.
Okaihau 25 Kaikohe 12: Okaihau advanced to the bottom four final - where they'll play the Natives - after winning this curtain raiser which kicked off in front of a good attendance at Ludbrook Park as the Rugby World Cup left the scene.
Okaihau's Shaun Haynes said both sides gave it their best shot in what would end up being, for one, the last game of the season.
"We knew it was going to be a good game. Kaikohe have got a pretty good scrum, they were pretty committed, certainly wasn't one way," he said. He noted his side allowed Kaikohe to get their tails up after butchering a number of try scoring opportunities.
Tries by Matt Kerr, Marty Wynyard (the prop earning the overall POTD), Dale Thomas and Scott Wilson, with Rangi Ranger adding a conversion and a penalty. Haynes' standout for Kaikohe was front rower Matt Paraha.
"A really good day at Ohaeawai with the world cup there."
South Hokianga beat Otiria by default: the second trip to Waimamaku in two weeks proved a bridge too far for the Bay cellar dwellers, gifting South Hokianga a berth into next Saturday's bottom four final at Kerikeri, where the Natives will face Okaihau.