Boxon can't find their way around Cobras

The Whanganui Boxon have only one team they need to worry about in the Manawatu Premiership and that is their nemesis the Linton Cobras.

Unbeaten in their other matches in the five-team competition, Boxon lost to Linton 32-22 in their previous rugby league meeting, and on Saturday at Fitzherbert Park they came even closer with a first-half comeback, but still went down 18-10.

Boxon came into the clash with some good form, having hammered the Ohakea Magpies 48-16 on May 7 at the Bulls Domain.

Coach Paki Ngaira said the Cobras got out to an 18-0 lead in the first 20 minutes, before Boxon came back with two tries before the break.

"No one scored in the second half. Defence was pretty good on both sides.

"Just a bit of composure let us down in the end."

To cover absences, Haze Reweti switched from halfback to fullback and still had an excellent game, while the forwards were led by lock Richard Puohotaua.

The Premiership goes into recess this coming weekend with the Manawatu Mustangs representative team taking on the Taranaki Sharks, in the curtain-raiser to the historic Warriors vs Canberra Raiders NRL game in New Plymouth on Saturday.

Ngaira, who is the Mustangs assistant coach, said 21 players will train today to settle on a final squad of 18 for the game at Yarrow Stadium.

A few Boxon players might be in the frame, Ngaira added.

Boxon have the bye when the Premiership resumes on May 28, so their next game will be against the Kia Ora Warriors at Springvale Park on June 4.