Waikohu pull out a big one

It’s a perfect 10 for style, grace and completion. A nimble leap, with one-handed carry, sends Ngatapa’s loosehead prop Semisi Akana soaring over the outstretched arm of Waikohu wing KC Wilson, who misses a desperate tackle. Despite the big forward’s gymnastic efforts and a higher score in the second half, Ngatapa were beaten 22-18 in their premier game at Patutahi on Saturday. Picture by Paul Rickard

The country derby between Te Karaka’s finest and their hosts at Patutahi was a Saturday square dance, barn-raising and hoedown rolled into one.

GT Shearing Waikohu’s 22-18 victory over Larsawn Ngatapa in Civil Project Solutions Premier Rugby saw them join the winners’ circle, in their best performance of the season.

In the other significant game of the weekend, Wairoa club Kahu Scaffolding Tapuae beat the defending champions East Coast Farm Vets YMP 17-14 in Wairoa.

Waikohu captain and openside flanker Kupu Lloyd and his player-coach first-five Tane McGuire were pleased by their four tries to three result, though the latter felt the side was still putting together only 40 good minutes per outing.

Ngatapa skipper lock Jack Twigley, whose team  beat Pirates 40-0 on Tiny White Opening Day then had the bye in week 2, said: “We weren’t at our best — missed too many tackles  before the break — but had a good second half, which was pleasing.”

Twigley won the coin-toss and his teammate halfback Aquila Waqa kicked off for the green and whites at Paddy’s Park. Lloyd opened the scoring seven minutes into the game. His muscular, low-driving effort from a ruck 11m in from the left corner was not converted.

The forward battle was as tough as is often seen in club rugby. Human cannonball No.8 Tapu Dixon may no longer burn through Tapuae’s opponents like propane gas, but scrum-pillar loosehead prop Toru Noanoa, the visitors’ Taste One Most Valuable Player Award recipient, was as rugged as ever.

Waqa landed a penalty goal in the 12th minute. Mighty right-wing KC Wilson scored the first of his two tries in the 17th minute and No.8 Adrian Wyrill was the next to barge across for 15-3 in the 26th minute. With a conversion from fullback Ethine Reeves, Lloyd and company took a 14-point lead to the break.

Tough Ngatapa No.8 Etimoni Lavaka scored immediately. Veteran reserve loosehead prop Campbell Chrisp followed suit for the home team in the 48th minute.

The score was 17-13 to Waikohu.

Wilson completed his double in the 52nd minute for 22-13 and Ngatapa MVP award winner first-five Johnny Millar got the last try of the match in the 76th minute. The final score of 22-18 spoke to the competitive nature of the match. Both sides have strong forwards and a high work ethic but Waikohu could convert only one of their four hard-earned tries, and Ngatapa none of their three.

Every side except Kevin Hollis Glass Pirates has now tasted success in Round 1. Earthworks Solutions High School Old Boys beat the Buccaneers 34-17 in the Battle of Oval 1 to pick up their first win.

Kahu Scaffolding Tapuae, who with two-time defending champions East Coast Farm Vets YMP went into Week 3 unbeaten, went from 17-3 up at halftime on to triumph 17-14 at home in Wairoa in a top-of-the-table clash.

Taste One MVPs: Wayne Hema (Tapuae), James Higgins (YMP), Johnny Millar (Ngatapa), Toru Noanoa (Waikohu), Fakatele Taufa (Pirates), Cohen Loffler (HSOB).

Further coverage tomorrow