Last minute try wins it for Sharks

Pikiao player Scotty Evans gets into a tight spot against Pacific on Saturday. Photo/Stephen Parker

A TRY WITH just minutes to go gave Pacific Sharks the win over Pikiao Warriors in the Waicoa Bay premiership Game at Puketawhero Park on Saturday.

Going into the final minutes, the Warriors were hanging on to a two-point lead, but were unable to keep the visitors at bay.

"I suppose it's pretty disappointing, but we've only got a young side this year - all the older players, they haven't come back, so it's just building again with this team," said coach Henry Lingman.

"It was disappointing to go down in the last couple of minutes, but the boys played pretty well."

Ball control was improved from the previous week's loss to Taniwharau.

"The week before, we weren't finishing all our sets and we practised that at training and we got through most of our sets (on Saturday). We still dropped a few balls in a few of them, but I'm quite happy with what we're doing - we're just building."

Lingman said both prop Peter-Rae Wharerau and "old stager Rocky Ahuriri" had good games on Saturday.

Ngongotaha Chiefs travelled to Hamilton to take on the City Tigers and were soundly beaten 72-0.

Results:
Premier Grade: Otumoetai Eels 36 Taupo Phoenix 20 , Hamilton City Tigers 72 Ngongotaha Chiefs 0, Turangawaewae 22 United 24, Pikiao Warriors 22 Pacific Sharks 24, Taniwharau bye.
Reserve Grade: Otumoetai Eels 62 Reporoa Razorbacks 6, Hamilton City Tigers 32 Central Lions 28, Turangawaewae 30 United 20, Pikiao Warriors 26 Pacific Sharks 20. Taniwharau bye.
BOP/Coastline Division 1: Tauhara Te Maunga 18 Putauaki Stags 24, Taneatua Warriors 64 Papamoa Bulldogs 12, Mangakino Hawks bye.