Pikiao's Te Kaiotea Tahuriorangi celebrates after touching down for his side against Taniwharau on Saturday. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER
Pikiao's Te Kaiotea Tahuriorangi celebrates after touching down for his side against Taniwharau on Saturday. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER
COACH Henry Lingman is targeting a top-four finish after Pikiao Warriors competed admirably in a narrow home defeat on Saturday.
Pikiao lost 22-20 against second-placed Taniwharau at home, after conceding a penalty in the last five minutes of the evenly fought contest. However, Lingman was "proud" of his side as they battled back from a 10-4 deficit at halftime and could easily have drawn the game.
"We did everything well and I have to say I am happy with the result," he said.
"Yes, we didn't get the win but we have sent outamessage to the top teams. We can compete and we could easily have taken all the points.
"We were a lot more patient in our play and we stuck to the game plan and our structures. "It was so close right up until that last whistle and I think it was just our fitness that didn't quite match up."
Percy King slid over in the first half for Pikiao, and grabbed a second after the break, along with two conversions, with players Te Kaiotea Tahuriorangi and Shawn Gielen Relph also scoring one a piece.
"They each had an outstanding game and not just because they made it on the score sheet," said Lingman.
"But I have to say it was our defence that really stood out. We really competed against a tough, quick opposition and each and every player played for the full game."
Lingman also said Pikiao had greatly improved since their 54-18 in the reverse fixture at the beginning of the season and was confident about the future success of the side.
"We were slow out of the blocks at the beginning of the season and we didn't have a lot of belief in ourselves," he said.
"It was a hard lesson to take when they beat us badly at their place but we must use this result to push us forward.
"There is real quality in our side. Spirit is high and we just have to close games off at the end.
"We are very much in a rebuilding stage with the club. But if we keep pulling performances out like this and keep a strong, patient defence then we can challenge the top teams."
Pikiao, who remain fifth in the table, will next weekend look to take their growing confidence into the away clash against Pacific Sharks who moved up to third after a 36-24 home win over Taupo Phoenix on Saturday.
Elsewhere Ngongotaha Chiefs' fixture away against United was cancelled because of a tangihanga for the hosts.
Results: - Waicoa Bay Premiership: Pikiao Warriors 20 Taniwharau 22, United v Ngongotaha (no game, tangihanga), Otumoetai Eels 24 Hamilton City Tigers 28, Pacific Sharks 36 Taupo Phoenix 24, Turangawaewae-bye.
- Reserve Grade: Pikiao Warriors 46 Taniwharau 30, United v Central Lions (no game, tangihanga), Otumoetai Eels 52 Hamilton City Tigers 16, Pacific Sharks 58 Reporoa Razorbacks 24, Turangawaewae-bye.
