Rugby League: Ngongotaha win on the road

A trip to face the Phoenix in Taupo is never an easy one, but the Ngongotaha Chiefs have come away with a valuable 28-22 win.

Ngongotaha coach Paul Nahu said his side were missing some key players for the Bay of Plenty/Coastline Premier match, played yesterday, but those who filled in for them stepped up well.

"[The team played] very well in parts, I think defensively they were good and the effort was great.

"We had a lot of guys out yesterday and the guys who filled in did a really good job. The depth has been challenged, to have everyone on song at the one time would be fantastic. We haven't done that yet," Nahu said.

He said Taupo were "very good" and the wet conditions served as an equaliser.

"They were very testing and I thought they played well. It was one of those games where you were limited with what you could do and it was a game that could've gone either way. We were probably lucky to get the win, but we'll take it, that's for sure.

"[In wet weather] it's all about playing smart, playing in the right areas and being disciplined - the same key things as any game really."

The standouts for Ngongotaha were captain Luke Taylor and prop Dennis Phillips.

"Luke played loose forward, which was a positional change for him, but he was outstanding and led the way. He was involved in everything, he did a lot of hit-ups, a lot of defending and his general presence was very good.

"We were down on props and Dennis played the full 80 minutes. He never faltered, he was fantastic."

This weekend Ngongotaha travel to Otumoetai who earned a hard fought 6-4 win over this season's frontrunners Mangakino at the weekend.

"We've set some goals this season and we're on track for those so far. It will be a big game this weekend," he said.

Meanwhile, Pikiao, who beat Taupo the previous week for their first win of the season, sat out the bye.

Bay of Plenty/Coastline Rugby League results
Premier
Otumoetai 6 Mangakino 4
Pacific 38 Papamoa 16
Ngongotaha 28 Taupo 22
Pikiao Bye

Reserve
Tauhara 26 Otumoetai 16
Pacific 38 Papamoa 8
Taneatua 22 Taupo 6
Pikiao 44 Putauaki 8