Rugby: Poverty Bay in repeat of 1999

Poverty Bay will draw on the experience of a year ago to fortify themselves for their NPC third-division semifinal against North Otago on Saturday.

Having set the pace for much of the winter, Poverty Bay face an enormous challenge to keep their campaign afloat.

They travelled to Oamaru for the final round of qualifying matches on Saturday at the top of the table and well positioned to book a home semifinal.

Instead, they endured a long and quiet trip home yesterday, tending to bruised bodies and egos after suffering a 7-42 loss which saw them slip to fourth entering the semifinals.

That consigned them to a return trip to Oamaru after North Otago sneaked to the top of the standings. North Otago and second-placed East Coast finished with 30 points. They drew in the round-robin, and were equal on points, but North Otago had a superior points differential.

Poverty Bay also finished on the same number of points as Wairarapa Bush, but slipped to fourth because of their loss in Masterton during the round-robin.

This time last year, Poverty Bay were in a similar predicament after sustaining a heavy loss to top qualifiers West Coast in Greymouth.

They returned to the same venue a week later and, in the words of manager John Donnelly, Poverty Bay "spoiled the Coasters' party," before going on to lose the final to East Coast.

"Now we have to do it again. Yesterday was one of those days where everything that could go wrong went wrong," Donnelly said. "North Otago are an extremely good side, but it was the worst I have ever seen our team play."

Poverty Bay would welcome back No 8 Stu Ensor and wing Warren Banks for the semifinals after they missed Saturday's match because of funeral and family reasons.

An inspired North Otago were all over Poverty Bay and eventually crossed for seven tries after leading 27-0 at halftime.

The other semifinal this weekend will see 1999 champions East Coast host Wairarapa Bush.

East Coast, boosted by a hat-trick of tries from robust centre Tyrone Delamere, showed a liking for the big stage when scoring an entertaining 31-30 over Horowhenua-Kapiti at Eden Park in Auckland.

Horowhenua-Kapiti contributed fully to an excellent match and were in the box seat to secure victory after fighting back from a 10-18 halftime deficit to lead 30-21 with about 15 minutes remaining.

East Coast's cause looked to be lost when captain and No 8 Wirihana Raihania was sent off for a stomping incident.

Raihania is scheduled to attend a New Zealand Rugby Football Union judicial hearing in Wellington on Wednesday.

East Coast coach Joe McClutchie was a relieved man after the match.

"The boys showed commendable character and leadership to come back after losing Raihania. It was very pleasing they got up to win, even if it was by one point. One point is as good as 100."

The remaining matches on Saturday saw Wairarapa Bush prepare for their match in Ruatoria by comfortably beating South Canterbury24-5 in Timaru, while Buller won the local derby against West Coast 23-10 in Greymouth.

- NZPA