Spoils to YMP women in PB club comp finale

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

The final Poverty Bay women’s club rugby game of three halves was held in Te Karaka on Sunday.

YMP, Waikohu and Tapuae  took part in the match which featured three 35-minute “halves” .

YMP took the spoils on the day with fullback Ata Mangu, winger Laice Jackson and centre Amoe Wharehinga scoring tries against Waikohu in a 15-0 victory in the first “half”.

YMP remained on the field to take on Tapuae in the second “half” and won again — No.8 Reremoana Bartlett-Tamatea scoring the only try.

Tapuae took on Waikohu in the final “half” of the day and the honours were shared 5-all.

Nikita Wharehinga dotted down for Waikohu and Kashmia Sheldford for Tapuae.

The women were followed by a Jim Ruru Cup men’s clash between Waikohu and Uawa.

The cup is in honour of James Ruru who played for Uawa and Waikohu and represented Ngāti Porou East Coast in one match in 1929.

It was held by Uawa until 2018 when Waikohu won the inaugural match and the trophy has remained with them since.

There was no change to its location as Waikohu comfortably beat their Coast counterparts 51-7. The home side ran in nine tries to Uawa’s Jesse Rye’s single five-pointer, converted by Josh Dearden.

YMP star fullback Andrew Tauatevalu swapped his black and white jersey for the black and maroon of Waikohu and scored two tries.

Other tryscorers were Latrell Walker, Lance Dickson, Jacob Leaf, Te Mana Barbarich, Shyann Wyllie, Hayze Nepia and Kupu Lloyd.

Ethine Reeves, Ra Broughton and Punch Noanoa  kicked conversions.

Waikohu are preparing for the first Barry Cup sub-union challenge  of the season against holders Wairoa in Wairoa on September 3.

Wairoa beat Waikohu last year to claim the cup.