League: Sharks retain momentum with patchy win over Eels

Otumoetai's Josh Tupou is upended by the Sharks defence.

Tokoroa's Pacific Sharks did enough to hold off the Otumoetai Eels in the final game of the Bay of Plenty-Coastline regular season.

The sides have now met three times this season and the Sharks' 28-20 win gave them the edge, 2-1. A straightforward first versus fourth and second against third playoff format sees Pacific at home to Pikiao and the Eels away to Taupo Phoenix next Saturday.

The Sharks took the lead early in the game through loose forward Brain Tukia, with the try converted by Patariki Takiri, but the first half descended into a mistake-a-thon as both teams coughed up possession and conceded territory by giving away penalties.

Pacific finally found their way across the try line again close to halftime through Justus Riki-Hauana, before a lifting tackle in front of the posts saw Josh Weedon score the home team's first points.

Ryan Gordon had gone closest to scoring for the Eels, after Mike Johnston guided a Weedon kick into the winger's hands, only for the defence to get across and tackle him into touch.

The Eels showed signs of a resurgence at the start of the second half, with Weedon's boot to the fore. A chip kick gathered by Conner Hohepa, who then fed Weedon, saw him score under the posts, the conversion creating a two-point game.

A kick out wide again caused confusion, with Ainsley Skudder pouncing to score, but only after Pacific had restored their halftime eight-point lead when Yannis Mea cut the Eels apart with a strong run.

Two tries by hard-running Sharks centre Tamatoa Karora-Reu gave the Sharks more safety, with substitute Willy Rutene finishing off the Eels' scoring.

"We showed some character and showed enough that, provided we get over the hurdle next week, we could take out a final," said Eels coach Len Reid.

While the game had no bearing on the playoffs, Reid was pleased with the response his team showed in the second half.

"We made a lot of mistakes, but overall, you're never happy to lose a game of football, but I can take a lot out of it."

The Sharks reserves beat their Eels counterparts 26-20. The two sides meet again in next Saturday's playoffs.