Fullback Connor Hohepa scored the match-winning try for Otumoetai Eels against Pacific Sharks at Mitchell Park on Saturday. Photo / Andrew Warner
Fullback Connor Hohepa scored the match-winning try for Otumoetai Eels against Pacific Sharks at Mitchell Park on Saturday. Photo / Andrew Warner
The hugely anticipated clash in the Coastline/BOP Premiers competition between leaders Otumoetai Eels and second-placed Pacific Sharks from Tokoroa was always going to be close.
Throw in the worst playing conditions of the winter at Mitchell Park on Saturday and the match became your classic arm-wrestle with neither side giving an inch.
The Eels won it 12-8 through sheer determination in the final stages as the Sharks launched repeat sets at their line.
At the heart of the defensive line was second rower and head coach Alex Parker who was justifiably proud of his team at the final hooter.
"It wasn't pretty but we talk about effort and stuff being the foundation of what we do. We just dug deep there and I have massive pride in the way our boys defended and rolled our sleeves up in that second half. It was just outstanding," Parker said.
"We have a lot of respect for Pacific Sharks. They are a top-flight footy team and we always knew it was going to be a big challenge and the way they kept coming at us was awesome."
Early on in the match the Eels dominated possession and field position thanks to the excellent kicking game of standoff Josh Weedon.
The Sharks helped with their ill-discipline, having two players in the bin at one stage, but too much possession was coughed up in contact by the Eels in the slippery conditions that deteriorated as the game went on.
They had several clear-cut opportunities to cross the line but nailed just one to take an 8-4 lead into the halftime break.
Weedon splashed over for the try after some good work taking the ball up by props Daniel Holmes and Te Rupe Douglas plus a dart from dummy half by hooker Tane Leef.
Josh Weedon scores the opening try for Otumoetai Eels against Pacific Sharks: Photo / Andrew Warner.
Pacific Sharks had few opportunities to put pressure on the Eels' line in the opening stanza but took one of them to close the gap to 8-4 before the break.
Fullback Connor Hohepa was the Eels' best attacking player throughout and his clever kick and chase to beat the Sharks defence put Otumoetai up 12-4.
The rain continued to beat down, causing multiple handling errors which suited the Pacific Sharks whose big pack began to dominate.
They crossed for their second try to close the gap to 12-8 with 20 minutes to play but despite having most of the play they were unable to get through the heroic Eels defence.
Parker said completing their sets was how they wanted to exert pressure but it did not happen.
"We can use excuses as much as we like in regards to the conditions but at the end of the day you have to hold on to it and we just didn't do that well enough.
"But we are still unbeaten and it wasn't pretty but we got the win and that was the big thing."
The non-stop rain was not all bad. It brought the best line of the day from the field when an Eels player asked the trainer for some water.
