League: Lions gain edge with semis victory

Ypres Williams in action. Photo / File

Rotorua's Central Lions have beaten the Pacific Sharks reserve team for the first time this season, as they look ahead to the playoffs in the reserve grade.

The two top sides in the Bay of Plenty Coastline reserve grade battled out a tight fixture on Saturday at Memorial Park in Tokoroa, the Lions winning 38-34. The teams have already secured home semis come August 8, and could meet again in the final.

Central held a small lead at halftime and built on it after the break. Pacific (Tokoroa) came back late in the match but could not catch up to their opponents.

Two Lions players were sent to the sin bin towards the end but the Rotorua side managed to hold on. Lions co-coach Jason Kiore said it was a good win ahead of the playoffs.

"It gives us a psychological edge over them," he said. "They have beaten us all year and we finally got one over them and really we did it quite good considering we had two in the bin, so big ups for our guys."

One standout was 1st-five Ypres Williams, who had moved into the halves on Saturday after a season at fullback. Kiore also played on Saturday in the forwards, leading from the front.

There is one round remaining this weekend before the semifinals, but all four semis spots have been secured. Pacific will finish top of the ladder followed by Central, Reporoa and the Otumoetai reserves.

-Pacific 34 (Alex Hawkins 2, Ethan Tetevano, Zak Vandenberg, Opetia Utanga, Dalaney Takiri tries; Jade Hawkins 5 con) Central 38 (Shaun Kingi-Murray 2, Pesini Tavake 2, Norwaven Waru, Aaron Waiapu, Gary Irvine, Ypres Williams tries; Shaun Kingi-Murray 2 con, Luke Kingi-Murray pen).