Rugby: Youngsters earn stripes for Pikiao

Rotorua's Central Rugby League Club lost to Pacific 108-0 on Saturday. Pictured is Pacific player Kallin Tereu off-loading during the match. Photo/Ben Fraser

Pikiao were handed a good test at the weekend in a thrilling match against Mangakino.

Mangakino won last weekend at home and threatened to topple Pikiao on Saturday in front of their home supporters.

The newly promoted premier team scored two quick tries to start the game but Pikiao battled back well to win the match 48-36.

Pikiao coach Doug Unuwai said he called up five under-18 players to play in the match, resting some of his senior players who were carrying small injuries.

"They were full of beans," he said about the young players. "They just ran all day and you couldn't stop them."

He said the younger guys made a big impact on the game but it was probably the senior players who won them the match.

"The old heads slowed down the pace of the game and steadied the ship. The likes of Papa [Pirikawana Taiatini] and Bully [Te Kaiaotea Tahuriorangi] had a good influence on the match."

Unuwai said he was impressed with Mangakino who gave them a real battle on Saturday.

"It was an awesome game," Unuwai said. "It was another good test for us.

"Mangakino were a team that never gave up, they fought hard right to the end.

"They came to play and got off to a great start, scoring two tries in the first couple of minutes."

In the other premier games at the weekend, Central were demolished by Pacific 108-0 and Ngongotaha got the better of Forestland 38-20.

Central moved up to the premier grade this year with Mangakino, after winning the reserve grade last season.

The long-standing Rotorua club has recorded a terrible start to the season though, losing their first three games including two hidings.

If they cannot source more players or produce some better results in the next few rounds they may go back down to reserve grade.

Meanwhile, Ngongotaha have found some good form, winning their last two matches. There are no premier or reserve grade games this Easter weekend.

Bay of Plenty District Rugby League round three results on Saturday:

Premier grade: Central 0 Pacific 108, Forestland 20 Ngongotaha 38, Mangakino 36 Pikiao 48, Taupo bye.

Reserve grade: Pikiao Res 64 Putaruru 16, Pikiao Snrs 34 Pacific 54, Turangi 46 Tauhara 14, Reporoa bye.