An inspirational performance by flanker James Goodger highlighted Wairarapa-Bush's 31-5 win over Horowhenua-Kapiti in their crucial Heartland rugby championship match at Levin on Saturday.
It was the hugely energetic Goodger who led the way as Wairarapa-Bush completely dominated the second half, despite playing into the teeth of a strong wind and squally rain, and guaranteed themselves a Meads Cup semifinal berth next weekend.
With his team leading by just 9-0 at the end of the first 40 minutes, in which they had bumbled several prime scoring chances through handling errors, Goodger literally gave them a flying start from the resumption of play, leaping high to gather the ball from their own kickoff and set the standard his side sustained throughout the rest of the game.
It was Goodger too who was invariably the first to break the advantage line whenever the Wairarapa-Bush forwards freed up ball from the many mauls and rucks. Not only did he show a good turn of speed but nifty footwork as well.
Add to that some useful work in the lineouts and solid close-quarter defence and his was an exceptional all-round effort from a young player going places in a hurry.
Goodger's fellow forwards also deserve credit for the manner in which they retained possession for long periods in the second half.
The elements meant that kicking for territory then was virtually a no-no, so keeping ball in hand became the absolute priority.
Skipper Kurt Simmonds led by example in that regard, often being first cab off the rank in the numerous short passing rushes his team employed to gain valuable distance. He received excellent support from the likes of Tom Fleming, Andrew McLean and Brandon Young. Fleming started off at lock and then moved to No 8 and again demonstrated his versatility by making a big impact in both roles.
Pleasing too for Wairarapa-Bush was the quickness of the forwards to the breakdowns, with Johan Van Vliet and Richard Puddy giving Goodger an excellent helping hand. Although Van Vliet is still probably cursing himself for losing the ball as he dived for what would have been a certain try under the sticks.
It would be wrong, however, to suggest the Wairarapa-Bush forward effort was without its hassles. Overall the lineouts tended to be messy and they were guilty of turning over more ball than they would like during the first half.
That cannot be allowed to happen come the semifinal next Saturday with Wanganui, a team much better equipped than Horowhenua-Kapiti to take a full toll on scoring chances not being turned into points on the board.
The elements always meant the Wairarapa-Bush backs would play second fiddle to their forwards in Levin, especially in the second half, but they still managed to impose themselves on the game in a mainly encouraging manner.
Halfback Matt O'Connor and first-five Glen Walters were solid in their option-taking and, on the few occasions Walters decided to have a run, he generally managed to dance his way past the first line of defence. The 11 points he scored from his boot took his Heartland tally to 124, just nine short of Craig Pepperell's record for one season for the combined unions.
Midfielders Michael Te Whare and Jesse McGilvary tackled and ran with purpose, Inia Katia was his usual electrifying self whenever the ball came his way on the wing, and Nick Olson was grand value on the counter-attack.
Jesse McGilvary, Richard Puddy, James Goodger and Nick Olson scored tries for Wairarapa-Bush and Glen Walters added three penalties and one conversion. Horowhenua-Kapiti's only points came from a late try by Perry Hayman.
The Meads Cup semifinals on Saturday will see Wanganui playing Wairarapa-Bush at Wanganui and East Coast playing North Otago at Ruatoria, while in the Lochore Cup it will be Buller up against Poverty Bay and South Canterbury against Mid-Canterbury.