Battle on: YMP v OBM to decide first-round winners

LEADERS OF THE CLASH: YMP hooker and skipper Shayde Skudder (pictured above) and OBM utility forward and captain Riki Terekia (see the following picture in this gallery) will be leading their sides against each other tomorrow at Barry Park as the showdown of the table leaders takes place. Pictures by Paul Rickard

All roads lead to Barry Park tomorrow for supporters of YMP and OBM.

Round 1 of the Civil Project Solution premier club rugby competition ends with a blockbuster clash between East Coast Farm Vets YMP and Enterprise Cars OBM at 2.45pm.

Both teams go in unbeaten and this will not only decide the winners of Round 1, but establish who is top dog at this stage of the two-round competition followed by Lee Bros Shield title playoffs.

In other matches tomorrow, Earthwork Solutions HSOB face Larsawn Ngatapa on Oval 2 while GT Shearing Waikohu are up against Kevin Hollis Glass Pirates on Oval 1.

Defending champions YMP have shown impressive teamwork this season and will look to continue that in what is expected to be their toughest challenge yet.

Coach Kahu Tamatea said he hadn’t had to say much to motivate his side.

“The energy this week in training has spoken volumes,” Tamatea said.

“The boys have been doing the hard yards and once again focusing on what we can control.”

His team were excited and ready.

“Playing against OBM is always tough and a good measuring stick for how our season is tracking.”

OBM coach Dillon Dolman-Tuhou said that they were keen to continue playing like they had all season.

“We will have to turn up ready physically . . . match them in the physical battle.

“Defence is key for us. If we defend well, it will be a great game to watch”

Waikohu coach Tane McGuire said they were well aware that Pirates were improving with each game, but hadn’t been thinking about what their their opponents would bring.

“All the boys know of them is that we’re playing them.

We are just focused on us and getting our game plan and systems better.”

Likewise Pirates coach Anthony Kiwara.

“Our main focus this week is to keep that same intensity and focus we had in the first half last week and maintain it through the second half,” Kiwara said.

“It’s all about doing the little things right for us and mentally staying in the game for 80 minutes.

“Waikohu are a strong Māori club and another tough game for us to end the round. Our boys have worked hard at training this week and are looking forward to the challenge.”

HSOB are hungry to finish the round strongly against Ngatapa.

HSOB coach Wayne Ensor said tomorrow was a big game and they would need to be at their best to get their second win.

“Ngatapa are a team we strive to be better than and realistically we think we should be.”

Ngatapa are in a similar boat. They have only the one win so far — 44-17 over Pirates in Week 2 — and are keen to add to that.

They put up a great fight against OBM last weekend before going down 24-7 and almost got up over Waikohu at the Tiny White opening day.

Ngatapa co-coach Kohi Waihi said his team was confident and looking forward to the clash.

“They trained pretty well on Thursday,” Waihi said. “We want to play how we intended to from the beginning of the season — executing our game plan . . .that’s been our concentration this week.

“We know that they have a lineout that will compete with ours but we are confident we have the right mix this week.”

YMP: Nehe Papuni, Shayde Skudder (c), Hayze Nepia, Willis Tamatea, Jesse Rye, Isaiah Leach, Jesse Kapene, Stuart Leach, Silas Brown, Kelvin Smith, Matt Rutene, Te Peehi Fairlie, Mitch Purvis, Stephen Blake, Andrew Tauatevalu.

RESERVES: Hohepa Hakopa, Rocky Monika, Jordan Birch, Seth Lundon, Ra Broughton, Kayleb Te Whare, Tharin Cox-Peratiaki.

OBM: Lance Dickson, Ngahiwi Manuel, Myles Lardelli-Muir, Jacob Cook, Harawira Kahukura, Blake Beard, Keanu Taumata, Rikki Terekia (c), Atunaisa Rokotuiwei, Te Aho Morice, Joe Tikicidre, Solomoni Rosari, George Hooper, Pita Vonowale, Braedyn Grant.

RESERVES: Justin Allen, Jayme Barnett, Duran Smith, James Grogan, Jordan Christie, Jale Toko, Brian Whaitiri-White.

WAIKOHU: Tristan Morten, Geoff Pari, Perrin Martin-Barber, Matekairoa Mcguire, James Rutene, Kimihia Saddler, Kupu Lloyd, Adrian Wyrill, Mario Counsell, Ethine Reeves, Latrell Walker, Jacob Leaf, Te Pirihi Puke-Riki, KC Wilson, Roy Horo.

RESERVES: Leonard Lloyd, Tulsa Kaui, Rama Kingi Te Are, Shannon Cameron, Sonny Campbell, Kered Grant, Punch Noanoa.

PIRATES: Kelepi Tamale, Josiah Keiaho, Mango Halaifonua, Viliami Mosaati, Netani Seruwaqa, Moeakiola Mosaati, Paula Tatafu, Siope Piukana (cc), Fereti Sosene, Ale Paulo.

Andrew Tau, Levi Fakatava, Suliano Rausavanua, Dale Hapi, Isaiah Lemaua.

RESERVES: Moui Paongo,Toshio Paongo, Patriah Kaliopasi(cc), Setefano Tolu, Tupousau Haupeakui/Shaun Smith, Alifereti Senevou, Aquila Gonitoga.

HSOB: Jacob Hatton, Tavite Ikavesa, Judy Tuhaka, Fletcher Scammell, Nelson Moran, Marshall Jones, Keegan Jooste, Von Huata, George Halley, Bryan Howard, Alex Jerram, Rylan Tuwhairua-Brown, Korey Love, Cohen Loffler, Matthew Proffit.

RESERVES: Salesi Niuvao, Russell Burns, Tamanui Hill, Zane Boyle, Cory Reihana, TBC, Leo Te Hira.

NGATAPA: Unavailable