Rugby league: Ngongotahā lose to Mangakino but are not out

The Ngongotahā Chiefs lost their first round semifinal against Mangakino, but get a second chance of making the final against Pacific next weekend. Photo / File

Table-topping Mangakino are one win away from lifting the Bay of Plenty/Coastline Premier trophy after securing a direct passage to the final with a 26-18 win over Ngongotahā.

For Ngongotahā, who finished the round robin in second place, the loss at Mangakino yesterdaymeans they have to beat Pacific next weekend to make the final.

Ngongotahā coach Paul Nahu said, despite the loss, it was a great day of rugby league.

"I thought it was a really good game and it was actually a fantastic day out at Mangakino, it was good to be a part of it. It was a good atmosphere and a good crowd, it was good for the community out there.

"Mangakino are the top team for a reason, they're a very good side. I think defensively they did a really good job on us - 18 is the lowest amount of points we've scored all season.

"It was a well contested game, there was a lot of intensity and physicality. We matched everything that they had, but let ourselves down in a few key areas. One of them was our ball control inside their 20, we had a lot of opportunity but we spilt the ball early in the tackle count.

"There were some simple things, like one-on-one tackling. The commitment's there, the effort's there, but the execution is not quite right. They're only little things and they do add up in the bigger picture."

When asked who the standout players were, he said the players picked fullback Blake Nahu and prop Tai Kapua, but in his opinion it was "a good team effort".

"As a coach I was pretty happy with the overall performance. It was a really intense game and a lot of people I spoke to afterwards said they really enjoyed it and it was a really good standard."

Pacific beat Otumoetai 36-16 and will line up against Ngongotahā at Puketawhero Park next Saturday for a place in the final against Mangakino.

Nahu said the team's focus was solely on that game now and he expected it to be another tough one.

"The season's over if we don't get through that one. The opportunity is the same as yesterday - win the game and you're in the final. The reward's still there, we'll just do our best to get through this one and then we'll address anything further."

Bay of Plenty/Coastline Rugby League Results

Premier
Pacific 36 Otumoetai 16
Mangakino 26 Ngongotaha 18

Reserves
Tauhara 28 Taneatua 14
Pacific 44 Otumoetai 22