Scoring got under way in the game between Waiapu and City in the fourth minute with a 15-metre penalty goal from in front of the sticks to City player-coach Tanetoa Parata.
Waiapu struck back in the 19th minute from a short lineout 27m from the left corner. The ball went through four sets of hands before Mauheni shifted the ball to Nicky Mita who scored in the corner (5-3).
Waiapu followed that up with an intercept try from a City scrum — openside flanker Richie Green snatching a pass and sprinting away to score. Hamuera Moana-Baker converted for a 12-3 halftime lead.
City struck back eight minutes after the resumption with a try to prop Jayden Leiua-Pukia. No.8 Jack Richardson won an attacking lineout and City rumbled left, then right before the big man twisted back towards the posts to score. The try was not converted (12-8).
In the 50th minute, Waiapu extended their lead with a try to Mauheni, who outpaced defenders and would-be support players in his run to the line (17-8).
Waiapu were starting to roll. Awarded a free-kick at a lineout on halfway, they went left and with the same good hands they’d shown throughout the match, Tihei Turei finished a sweeping movement to score under the crossbar.
Moana-Baker made it 24-8, then potted a 10m penalty with five minutes to go for 27-8
City responded with one of the tries of the day. From an attacking scrum 13m into Waiapu territory, they went right and with two quick shifts found the diminutive Sébastian Tutu, who scored in the corner.
Tutu converted at machine-gun speed.
Hikurangi v Waima; Tihirau Victory Club v Tokorarangi reports in Thursday’s Herald
