Rugby: Taihapes hopes dashed by Ruapehu

Marton first-five Mundsan Ah Chong tries to get past Kaierau halfback Josh Edwards at the Country Club on Saturday. Photo/Stuart Munro

After 19 straight defeats there would have been a brief gleam in the eye of Taihape supporters at Memorial Park as their team took the lead in the second half of the crucial Tasman Tanning Premier game against McCarthys Ruapehu on Saturday.

However, the composure of the defending champions saw them grab their second try on the way to an 18-11 victory to secure outright second spot on the Premier table at the end of Round 1.

This still meant that for the first time in four seasons, the Paul Mitchell Cup and $500 Breakers Bay voucher does not belong to the Mountain Men after Integrity Motors Pirates comprehensive but ugly win over Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist at Spriggens Park.

Ruapehu led 10-8 at halftime through a converted try. Taihape got a five-pointer through halfback Brett Nicholls.

A second-half penalty by first-five Tom Wells saw Taihape ease in front 11-10, raising home-town hopes but Ruapehu added eight further points to win.

Taina Wallace and captain Peter Rowe were their tryscorers while first-five George Williams added the first successful dropped goal in Premier this season.

Premiers most unpredictable team Harvey Round Motors Ratana got out of jail with a try inside the final two minutes, seeing them barely hang on to the Grand Hotel Challenge Shield against Utiku Old Boys, devastated to lose a rare chance at some silverware while being consigned to the bottom of the table.

After scoring two tries to lead their visitors 15-7 at halftime, Ratanas wild fluctuation in form continued as Utiku scored their second try along with three penalty kicks from first-five Te Rangi Tapu McLeod to lead 19-15 with time running out. Ratanas third try saw them home at the death to create a three-way tie for third spot with Taihape and Waverley Harvesting Border, with Ratana sitting outside the Top 4 on points differential.

At the Country Club, Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau signalled a good end to a disappointing opening round with their second straight win, with two second-half penalties by winger Steve Collier seeing them to an 11-7 win in a real arm wrestle with Speirs Food Marton.

Both teams scored a try in the first half through Kaierau second-five Ace Malo and Marton centre Soonalote Tauailoto respectively.

In the senior competition, the Stihl Shop Wanganui Challenge Shield changed hands again as Ruapehu beat Taihape 41-15 at Memorial Park.

In the game at the Wanganui Racecourse between two teams looking to secure their spot in the championship competition race, Tech got home in a 41-35 thriller against Trans Pacific Pirates, who came roaring back after being down 24-0 at halftime.