Rugby: Charged-up Te Puke gain revenge

Mount Maunganui No 8 Josh Sole offloads under pressure against Te Puke in Saturday's big clash. Photo/Andrew Warner

Te Puke Sports were not short of motivation against Mount Maunganui Sports in the battle of the top two Baywide Bayfair teams at Murray Salt Stadium on Saturday.

Mount won the first round clash at Blake Park in April by 53-10, which has stuck in Te Puke's craw ever since.

Add in the chance to gain one of the few remaining Bay of Plenty contracts up for grabs, and this top-of-the-table clash was always going to be intense.

It went right down to the final whistle, with Te Puke just holding out Mount's final surge to claim a 24-18 win and retain top spot on the Bayfair Baywide table.

Te Puke scored four tries to two but suffered from poor goalkicking, with ace shooter Dan Hollinshead a key player at first-five in the match but unable to kick goals with a tweaked knee.

There were match-ups for the Steamers selectors right across the park ahead of the ITM Cup squad naming on Monday night.

Hollinshead and Mount's Cayden Matahaere both showed their ability at 10, with last year's Tauranga Boys' pivot Hollinshead proving he can handle pressure situations and defend courageously.

Te Puke captain David Whitecliffe-Davies just edged the battle of the openside flankers against Matty Axtens, while at No 8 the experienced Josh Sole played well but was overshadowed by an exuberant performance from Te Puke's Eru Smith-Wano.

Former NZ Under-20 halfback Jonno Kitto was all class and sparked Te Puke's attacks around the fringes, but his opposite Adam McGarvey was not far behind him, while midfield maestros Teddy Stanaway (Mount) and Junior Tofa Va'a (Te Puke) did their Steamers chances no harm.

Mount Maunganui led 11-5 at halftime after winger Mason Walker's brilliant try, and against the run of play stretched the lead to 18-5, with a converted try to Matahaere.

But then two tries within three minutes changed the game in Te Puke's favour. A sharp break and inside flick pass by Kitto put Hollinshead in under the posts, then Smith-Wano showed plenty of pace to win the race for a loose ball over the Mount line.

Mount's lead was just 18-17 before replacement halfback Andy Lee dived over to put Te Puke ahead for the first time in the match.

There was just time for Mount to launch one last attack but the staunch Te Puke defensive line held. Special mention of flanker Dan O'Rourke and hooker Mike Hinaki, who had outstanding games playing out of position to fill Te Puke's locking crisis.

Referee Jamie Bell deserves credit for the way he controlled such a physical game, especially as the 26-year-old was not wired up with his assistant referees. With the play-offs looming, acquiring the vital communication equipment should be a high priority for BOP Rugby.

Te Puke Sports 24 (Jonno Kitto, Dan Hollinshead, Eru Smith-Wano, Andy Lee tries; Sipa Moimoi 2 cons) Mount Maunganui Sports 18 (Mason Walker, Cayden Matahaere tries; Matahaere con, 2 pens)