Vipers overrun by Orca charge

Wanganui's Che Barlow would eventually score a try for the Mid Central Zone Vipers against the Wellington Orcas yesterday, but here he is held up by prop Robbie McKenzie. PHOTOS/STUART MUNRO 150913WCSMVIPERS1

It was supposed to be a festive occasion to see an NZRL National Premiership game played on Wanganui's premier sports ground, but there was little to smile about for the local supporters of the Central Vipers after a 42-4 hammering by a superior Wellington Orcas outfit yesterday.

There was still a ragged cheer from Whanganui Boxon supporters as their big centre Che Barlow crashed over out wide with time up on the clock to grab a consolation four-pointer.

But before that moment his side had been all at sea in a second half where they could not hold the Wellingtonians, nor keep possession through full sets of six during their rare chances inside enemy territory.

The Vipers, who along with Barlow had Boxon's Steelie Koro and Jordan Davis in their ranks, would have rated their chances when they were only 6-0 down with 14 minutes left till halftime, but back-to-back tries just before the break set the tone for the second stanza.

In total, the Orcas scored eight tries and converted five on a profitable day.

Winger Ezra Togia opened their account but his team were under a bit of pressure from the Vipers until centre Bernard Gregorus cut loose.

His 80m run from a scrum feed set up winger Paul Ulberg scoring, then a great pass by goalkicking halfback Rubin McCormick found Gregorus at pace to dart over.

Gregorus' tall centre partner Nemani Waka crossed shortly after the resumption and then prop Robbie McKenzie threw the dummy to pivot and muscle his way over underneath the black dot.

From 26-0 down, the Vipers could not turn the tide as basic pop passes were grassed inside the Orcas' half, Koro sadly no exception.

Wellington second rower Jon Masaga got across from dummy half, then speedy fullback Anthony Utanga finished off a long breakout from the Orcas own half as standoff Edward Albright took over the conversion duties.

Waka went on another long rampage and from the next tackle Togia had his second try going blindside from dummy half.

The Vipers were still game for one last throw of the dice as a Davis break saw his Orca opposite Dominik Bartels sinbinned for a foul with just over a minute left.

Working forward, the ball was spread to Barlow who forced the ball down through two tacklers right on the siren.

In the curtain raiser game, the Vipers Under 17s gave the Cooks Gardens fans cause for optimism for the future when they put down the Orcas Under 17s 42-28.

Leading 18-10 at halftime, the Vipers U17 were comfortably in front for the duration of the match.

The other game between Wanganui College Girls and Taranaki College Girls was cancelled after Taranaki withdrew the night before, citing injuries to squad members.