Rugby: Boxon league team scrape out water-logged TRL draw with Tigers

The Whanganui Boxon, seen here against the Waitara Bears the previous weekend, played out a rugged draw with the Western Suburbs Tigers to stay on top of the Taranaki Premiership standings.

Whanganui Boxon had to dig deep to snatch an 18-18 draw on a tough day against the AEC Western Suburbs Tigers in the final first round game for the TRL Paddock to Plate Butchery Taranaki Premiership at the weekend.

Heavy wet weather at the Ngamotu Domain in New Plymouth suited the home side, who have the best defensive record in the competition, compared to the Boxon who favour an opening attacking style and are the Premiership's leading points scorers.

"It was just a typical wet weather footy game," said coach Haze Reweti.

"A lot of errors, less than expected, but it made it hard for either team to get away.

"We like to spread the ball a fair bit, we like to score out wide, and it was tough to do that in the conditions."

Boxon started well and went out to an early 10-0 lead, maintaining that advantage at the break, but the Tigers chipped away at the score in the physical second half, eventually taking the lead 18-16.

The visitors got a late penalty and up stepped former Wanganui rugby representative Tautahi Rawiri, who despite having an erratic goalkicking record so far this season was still able to coolly slot the equaliser over the black dot.

Other standouts on the day were Francis Potaka in his first match in the starting lineup, while Steven Aue continues to prove his versatility as Reweti said he can put him anywhere on the field and Aue will do the job.

Getting the draw helped keep the Boxon at the top of the table with a 3-1-1 record, as fellow table leaders the Bell Block-Marist Dragons were upset by the winless Linton Cobras, 48-32 at the army camp.

The second round will now begin this Saturday with the Boxon hosting the Cobras at City College, kickoff 2.30pm.