Poverty Bay scored four tries to the Coast’s two — including a penalty try — but it was the boot of kicker and winger Logan Ross that proved the difference. He kicked three penalties and a conversion while the Bay failed to convert any of their tries albeit in difficult kicking conditions.
However, Bay coach Miah Nikora was proud of his boys, who battled to the end — something they have become renowned for.
“Some really good rugby was played,” he said. “We got off to a good start in the first five minutes but discipline let us down in that first half.”
West Coast won the toss and used the strong tail wind to their advantage to secure field position.
Discipline was a major factor for the Bay, but it was more so where they infringed.
West Coast collected all of their points in the first half, (Ross penalties in the eighth, 11th and 20th minutes), halfback Cleve Barrell scoring their only try (29th minute), which Ross converted and a penalty try (instant seven points).
The Bay were battling themselves as much as the opposition.
West Coast’s scrum was dominant. They had clearly figured out how to combat giant Bay prop Jarryd Broughton and head coach Miah Nikora was forced to play his hand and bring on reserve prop James Higgins in the 31st minute.
“It was a really tough decision,” he said. “Our scrum was under a bit of pressure and they lived off the back of penalties. It wasn’t through lack of effort from Jarryd — he was trying his heart out. It’s just what happened on the day.”
“It starts up front with that set-piece. When you get quality ball from there . . . it will flow a lot better. Higgins came on and did a really good job.”
Higgins not only stabilised but turned around the Coast advantage and they became wary of using the tactic from that point on.
All 23 of the Bay squad put in the work and then some.
Flankers Keanu Taumata and Hayze Nepia and No.8 Stuart Leach were outstanding, inspiring a momentum change in the second half.
The Bay’s comeback was ignited by a try to winger Te Peehi Fairlie in the 54th minute.
Two tries to replacement winger Hunter Mokomoko followed.
After working hard inside West Coast territory to earn a scrum, Leach peeled off the back — drawing in defenders before linking with halfback Ra Broughton, who committed the last defender and offloaded to Mokomoko who sped down the sideline to score in the 60th minute.
The Bay were on a roll and they struck again in the 70th minute when Mokomoko completed his double, which had West Coast players’ hands on their heads wondering what was happening.
The Bay wave continued and what had to be Leach’s best performance of the season was rewarded when he crossed in the 79th minute.
But from the restart, a couple of turnovers and a fumble ended the game.
The devastation could be seen written on all of their faces.
“We were pretty gutted,” Nikora said. “
“But once we got back into the changing sheds and spent a bit of time together, laughing and spending the night reflecting, there was a good feeling around where we got to this year.
“And we were proud of the fact that we made it to a Lochore Cup final.”
Though the Bay’s season has ended, the rugby is not over for Nikora and potentially some of his players.
Nikora is assistant coach of the Heartland XV squad which will be named this week to face Canterbury Development in Methven on November 1 and the New Zealand Barbarians in Oamaru on November 4.
Poverty Bay 20
(Hunter Mokomoko 2, Te Peehi Fairlie, Stuart leach tries)
West Coast 23
(Cleve Barrell try, pen-try, Logan Ross 1 con, 3 pens).
