Winning momentum for Coast

Ngati Porou East Coast hooker Joe Royal, pictured in action against Poverty Bay, finished off a classic forwards movement in the Sky Blues’ 29-12 win over Eastern Bay of Plenty on Saturday. Picture by Paul Rickard

The Sky Blues got back on the horse.

Having lost a historic clash with Central Hawke’s Bay 18-17 at Otane Domain the previous weekend, Enterprise Cars Ngati Porou East Coast Kaupoi (Cowboys) made a gorgeous Saturday one to savour with 400 in attendance at their final pre-Heartland Championship game.

The Coast beat Eastern Bay of Plenty 29-12  at Te Kura Mana Māori o Whangaparaoa/Cape Runaway — the home of NPEC club Tihirau Victory Club, who were runners-up in the Premier Men’s competition this year.

Kaupoi scored five tries to two and retained the Basil Simpson Memorial Trophy under the hawk eyes of Bay of Plenty referee manager Jackson Reuben-Swinton and fellow officials Grant Moore and John Kilkelly.

The home team fired off with a try to left-wing and the Coast’s Most Valuable Player on the day, Tavita Nabura, in the eighth minute despite being a man down due to blindside flanker Jack Richardson receiving a yellow card five minutes into the game.

From an attacking lineout 12 metres from the left corner, hooker Joe Royal found lock Richard Green at No.4.

Over three phases of play the Sky Blues worked themselves to the goal line where captain and halfback Sam Parkes found Nabura with a cut-out pass to score.

First-five Te Rangi Fraser’s sideline conversion attempt was unsuccessful.

The visitors hit back in the 27th minute through blindside flanker and TVC captain Moana Mato, who took a short pass from a penalty tap kick 5m from the Coast’s line and scored between the posts.

EBOP first-five Ryshawn Vercoe converted for a 7-5 lead.

The Dark Blues struck again when lock Noke Wais scored off a great pass from No.8 Lemeke Cagialau, who had won a four-man lineout against the throw on the 10m mark in Coast territory.

Great support play, as much as opportunism, saw Wais dot down for a shock try and EBoP went into the break 12-5 in front despite having 11 new caps on deck.

Twelve minutes after the resumption, Nabura scored his second try out wide.

The Coast won a lineout 20m into EBOP territory, courtesy of dynamic reserve lock Rico Te Kani at No.2.

Parkes found second-row titan Riki Waitoa on the charge and two rucks later, Nabura was put away to score in the corner.

Fraser’s boot struck gold with the conversion to level it 12-all.

The Kaupoi had more magic to work.

In the 59th minute, a lineout drive off the left touch took them up to the 22 and Parkes unleashed fullback Renata Roberts-Te Nana, who battled with three defenders midfield before scoring near the posts. It was a feat of strength and determination.

Fraser did his conversion duty to put the Coast 19-12 ahead.

In the 69th minute, the NPEC engine room reaped reward. They won a lineout 5m from the left corner and with grand teamwork and control on the drive, Royal went over for a superb forwards try.

The hosts’ last try, to reserve fullback then right-wing Kris Palmer, came in the 69th minute and was simple in its construction.

From a penalty tap kick 5m from the goal line, the ball went through three sets of hands before Palmer scored.

Fraser missed the conversion.

The Coast, who face Wairarapa-Bush in their Heartland opener at Trust House Memorial Park in Masterton this Saturday, were pleased to have at least blown a few cobwebs out.

Eastern Bay of Plenty head coach Geoff Olsen said his side’s fourth outing was “a brilliant game of rugby, very fast” while Coast coach Kahu Tamatea was satisfied with his team’s showing.

“The vibe in our team is really good. Establishing that helps to lay the foundation for what happens on the field,” said first-year head coach Tamatea, who made special mention of the TVC hospitality.

“It was almost a game of two halves for us. We took time to find our feet and get continuity before the break and then it all clicked. We were able to build phases through the middle, which opened things up for our outside backs.”