High energy gives bush boys title win

CHAMPS: The Wanganui club 7s champions Ngamatapouri added the Piri Weepu Invitational 7s title to the trophy cabinet at the weekend.PHOTO/SUPPLIED

The boys from the Waitotara bush have continued to dish it out on the rugby paddock after claiming the 2015 Piri Weepu Invitational 7s title in Wainuiomata at the weekend.

The Ngamatapouri side beat visiting Hawkes Bay club Napier Pirates 33-24 after a methodical second half comeback in the final at William Jones Park.

Both sides had dispatched Wellington clubs in the semifinals.

Wanganui raiders Ngamatapouri and Napier Pirates had played high energy-style rugby to reach the final.

The 2015 Hawke's Bay 15s champions Napier Pirates penalised Ngamatapouri for two early errors to take a 14-0 lead within the first five minutes, but the boys from the bush bounced back to trail 19-21 at halftime and then sailed to victory.

Player/coach Isireli Baleitavuki said his team refused to panic running in three second-half tries to Napier's one to take the title.

Earlier, Ngamatapouri had beaten Old Boys University 12-5 in their semifinal with a vocal band of supporters cheering them on, while Napier Pirates had defeated home team Wainuiomata 17-10.

Ngamatapouri have had an awesome first season back in both 15 and 7-aside codes in 60 years.

After finishing runners-up to Hunterville in the Tasman Tanning Wanganui Senior 15s competition, Ngamatapouri had recent tournament wins in the Wanganui club 7s and Manawatu Fijian 7s events.

They will be back to Wainuiomata on Waitangi weekend to contest the National Club 7s Championship in February.

In the meantime, Baleitavuki said there would be little downtime in the coming weeks with the Wanganui 7s side, which has a Ngamatapouri influence, heading to the Central Zone Regional competition in Levin this weekend in an attempt to qualify for the Pub Charity National regional tournament in Rotorua on January 16.

"There won't be much celebrations for us - no barbecues, only healthy food."