Border retained the Challenge Shield with a win over Taihape at Memorial Park on Saturday. Photo / Jared Smith
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The inaugural Trevor Olney Taonga has its first owner as undefeated Waverley Harvesting Border are guaranteed to top Division 1’s points table following a big win over their old foes on Saturday.
Many a team that likes to play with attacking width has left Memorial Park empty-handed, as home side Byfords Readimix Taihape are experts in closing down the fringes and pulling opponents into forward-dominated scraps.
But Border hit their marks perfectly with quick recycles and Fijian power out wide – racing away in the second half for a 58-21 victory, retaining the Challenge Shield.
Most of the headlines will be grabbed by Border’s dynamic centre Zack Soqonakalou, who scored his fourth hat-trick in five games and 13th season try overall, with powerhouse winger Beniamino Vota adding a double to his growing tally.
But first-five Tyrone Albert reminded everyone that just because he distributes the ball on most occasions doesn’t mean he isn’t quick of feet himself – catching the home side napping with a dummy-and-dash followed by a streaking intercept to score two tries.
Likewise, Border’s forward pack had a point to prove, led by returning lock Ngapuke Patea, strong loose forward Ekenasio Fiso and evergreen prop Renato Tikoisolomone.
Border’s engine room maintained the platform for their backs throughout, even when twice reduced to seven by yellow cards.
For Taihape, there were further blows as Steelform Whanganui incumbent lock Peter-Travis Hay-Horton suffered a shoulder injury which could keep him sidelined for some time.
Winger Tiari Mumby and try-scoring second-five Cyrus Tasi did what they could to hold back the Fijian tsunami out wide, while fullback Chad Whale slotted his first four kicks, having kept his side in the match at 19-9 on halftime.
Prop Tru Ratana-Horton and hooker Jaye Flaws looked to keep Border honest up front, but Taihape just could not keep the visitors from bolting away from them, with the score blowing out in the final quarter with three tries in less than seven minutes.
“We’ve been practising this week to fix them in the middle and then get to an edge and come off an edge, and come back down the other side again, and we really did that pretty well today,” coach Paul Mitchell said.
While Border are now guaranteed to lift the Taonga with a game to spare, Mitchell saw no reason to go into cruise control with another long trip up to Ohakune for the end of the round.
“Everyone seems to be playing pretty well; we had a bit of a rough week last weekend against Rātana so we were really determined to turn that around this week and I think we did that.
“In saying that, we still leaked 21 points, so that’s something to work on for us.”
Taihape coach Sefo Bourke acknowledged momentum is with the Challenge Shield holders.
“All credit to Border, they came here with a game plan – spread the ball wide in those channels and our defence just wasn’t up to it today.
“They capitalised on our mistakes I think, early in the first half, and we were just playing on the back foot for the whole game really.
“We’ll have to see how we go next week and the other results in terms of standings, but we’ll go back to the drawing board and figure out where we went wrong and then try and do a lot better in terms of those work-on areas.”
Ruapehu fought hard, but Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau secured their mathematically tenuous position on the division one points table after pulling away for a 51-28 win at Rochfort Park on Saturday.
Getting their first victory in over a month to move up to fourth place as they head into their bye week, Kaierau dominated the final quarter after the home side had closed up to 22-21 in the second half.
Winger C.J. Stowers scored his third hat-trick this season, while centre Nemia Adrole got a double.
With a rejigged backline, winger Mitai Hemi scored, as did fullback Rusiate Lalanabaravi, hooker Sevanaia Vudiniabola, and reserve Leo Higham.
Trying several kickers, conversions came from first five-eighths Sheldon Pakinga, second five-eighths Apolosi Tanoa and Lalanabaravi.
Ruapehu got a bonus point with four tries, including a double from prop Sheldon O’Hagan while lock Harry Rowe and centre Tahatika Te Riaki also scored, with three conversions from fullback Jack Pettersson and one from first five-eighths Logan Blackburn.
Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist’s month of strong results continued as they locked in second place on the table with a big 48-14 win in the Pā over Silk Audits Rātana, who mathematically are still not safe from relegation.
No 8 Colin Turner scored a double, while two tries were scored between the three Koro family members on the field – Kotahi, Akiwa and Te Heru Reu.
Also dotting down were lock Rongomai Mclean-Wanoa, second five Shaun O’Leary, flanker Brandon Burberry and reserve Ratu Epeli Delasau.
In the penultimate round of division two, Utiku Old earned a statement 34-10 win over fellow Championship-bound side Marton at Memorial Park No 1.
On the No 2 field, upcoming Minor Championship sides Horizon Networks Taihape and Border played a classic, the hosts racing away to a massive lead but then just held on 33-29.
The Challenge Shield will not be contested amongst the minor championship group as Gemini Pepper Construction Kaierau could not lift it in their trip to face Kelso Hunterville, beaten 35-15.
Direct Connect Marist Celtic kept themselves in contention to lift the inaugural Peter Rowe Cup as they moved up into a tie for second place with their big 61-20 under lights at Macnab Domain on Friday.
In the Tasman Tanning Te Awa Wāhine competition, Byfords Construction Taihape locked up second place on the table by beating Kia Toa 49-26 in Central Energy Trust Arena, while Silks Audit Rātana rebounded from last week’s derby loss to AGC Marist Clovers by defeating OBM 42-12 in the Pa.
Bush continued their undefeated run with a big 85-15 home win over Rangitīkei at the Sports Park, while Marist fell out of the top four after a 55-20 away loss to Freyberg at Colquhoun Park.