Rugby: Whaka wrestle a win

Whakarewarewa have come back from a 36-16 hiding last weekend to give new kids on the block Paroa a real Puarenga welcoming to premier division, flogging them 36-10.

The beer tasted sweeter for the Whaka faithful at the weekend after their side racked up a bonus point win over Paroa at Puarenga Park.

Although Whaka coach Maurice Stone snr will be mulling over a cold one after his side didn't really get out of third gear.

"Realistically we're putting ourselves under pressure when we really didn't need too and that's probably something we are going to go back to the drawing board at training. Just because we won, doesn't mean we aren't making mistakes. We've got plenty to work on."

Another concern for the coach is his injury list, which is starting to resemble a casualty ward. "It seems to be the same thing - most of the guys are pulling up with hamstrings for some reason. I don't know whether it's the hard grounds or what but it is a bit of a worry."

The scoreboard would suggest the game was a one-sided affair. However, this couldn't have been further from the truth.

Paroa started well and looked dangerous, especially with Jason Hona and the Henry brothers Maru and Ariki constantly threatening.

But they made too many silly mistakes. Add to the mix ill-discipline early in the match and it's a recipe for disaster against a side like Whaka. By the 30-minute mark the home side had racked up 22 points with Maurice Stone jnr grabbing a try, four conversions and a penalty, with reserve prop Cedric Carston and centre Chris Miller adding a try a piece.

Although Paroa scored a late try to Ariki Henry five minutes before the break it was never a match the Eastern Bay side looked like winning.

After the break the home side went into coast mode and spluttered along for almost 25 minutes. Whaka began to turn over ball in all facets of play, which lifted Paroa but again mistakes would see the visitors turn over ball just as they gained some momentum.

It took some inspired coaching skills from Stone to bring Chanse Perham on into the midfield, after their half back Chris van der Vlugt pulled a hamstring, to bring up Whaka's bonus point try. Perham has extraordinary pace, shown when he spied a half gap, switched on the after-burners and rocketed past the defence to score under the post. Stone jnr converted the try but again Whaka took the foot off the pedal and the visitors were rewarded for their perseverance with a try to loose forward Kevin Waterson.

Whaka lock Tamati Rhind was rewarded for his hard 80-minute effort when he scored the side's last converted try.

In the other matches in the round, Rotoiti picked up another win, narrowly beating Mt Maunganui 28-27, Te Puke Sports also had a close match, winning 10-7, Greerton beat Te Puna 33-28 and Tauranga Sports thumped Opotiki 56-15.

In division one, Waikite beat Te Teko 31-26, Rangiuru were too strong for Ngongotaha, beating them 22-13, Katikati narrowly beat Marist St Michaels 33-31, Kahukura lost to Poroporo 33-26 and Whakatane Marist beat Ruatoki 19-17.

Scorers: Whakarewarewa 36 (Maurice Stone, Cedric Carston, Chris Miller, Chanse Perham, Tamati Rhind, tries; Maurice Stone 4cons, 1pen); Paroa 10 (Ariki Henry, Kevin Waterson, tries) Halftime: 22-5