Ngongotaha Chiefs' player Matini Matini, pictured in control against Putauaki Stags at Puketawhero Park on the weekend. Photo/Ben Fraser
Ngongotaha Chiefs' player Matini Matini, pictured in control against Putauaki Stags at Puketawhero Park on the weekend. Photo/Ben Fraser
It was a mixed start for local teams in the opening grading round of the Bay of Plenty District Rugby League (BOPDRL) and Coastline combined district competition.
In this season's revamped league Ngongotaha Chiefs, who are vying for one of the two spots left for the Premier grade, beat PutauakiStags 48-28 at Puketawhero Park.
Standouts for the Chiefs were Putauaki Game - awarded player of the match by his team, best back Pesini Tavake and best forward to Joe Nuku.
Paul Nahu, one of the Chiefs' coaches this season, said it was a positive start but the team would be looking closely at defence this week.
"It's a solid start and we're taking one step at a time in these grading rounds," he said. "Letting in 28 points is too much and obviously that is something we'll need to work on. Defence will be key to getting into that Premier competition and it's something this club really wants."
"We didn't perform in the first half - but I was proud with how they came out in the second," he said. "They could have just let their heads drop like in previous years but we fought back strongly.
"We'll need to work on little things - cutting out errors is the main focus. I'm quietly confident we'll do well though. Pacific are a tough team and we showed in patches that we can compete. I want to see that over a full game now."
There are two more rounds left in the grading competition before the league splits into two - the Premier grade (six teams) and Premier 2 (nine teams).
BOPDRL and Coastline combined district competition results:
Section 1: Taupo Phoenix Premier 6 Otumoetai Eels Premier 50
Pacific Sharks Premier 34 Pikiao Warriors Premier 28
