Otamatea prop Lance Vale (in head-gear) wipes the rain off his face as referee Brock Fannin awards a penalty. Photo / John Stone
Otamatea prop Lance Vale (in head-gear) wipes the rain off his face as referee Brock Fannin awards a penalty. Photo / John Stone
While farmers rejoiced at the sight of Saturday's downpour, the steady rain at the Hikurangi Rugby Club grounds did not lend itself to free-flowing rugby.
Despite Hikurangi and Otamatea running out under cloudy but rain-free skies, the ground was soon saturated in what was a tough, physical contest between two sides still looking for a win in 2019.
With rain falling consistently throughout the game, both sides struggled to retain possession, making regular errors. It was Hikurangi's composure while on offence which won them the game as they ran in three tries to win 24-5.
The scoreline could have been worse for the visiting side had it not been for periods of strong try-line defence from Otamatea and some poor finishing from Hikurangi. The hosts dominated territory throughout the game and at one point in the second half, kept possession of the ball for about 15 minutes straight.
Hikurangi halfback Ilai Arona was strong runner on Saturday, picking up a try and setting up others. Photo / John Stone
"It was pretty hard with the conditions being so dry and to get that much rain was a bit of shock to the boys who didn't adapt well enough to conditions," Otamatea coach Nick Makea said.
He said his side lacked the strong direction of the opposition and felt Hikurangi's offensive plays outclassed a young Otamatea backline which had only one remaining player from last season.
"To be fair, they are still getting to know each other in a new backline and our strength is building and getting tighter off the field so eventually that will come on to the field.
"At the start of the game I said that we are building something really nicely but we are still holding it in, we are stuck in the bottle and need to let the lid off and things will happen and I believe it."
The game's major blight concerned Otamatea lock Logan Eager who knocked Hikurangi prop Craven Martin on to the ground in retaliation for an earlier incident. In what seemed more than just a simple push and shove, referee Brock Fannin showed the visiting lock a yellow card after a conference with his assistant referee.
Makea said he didn't approve of that behaviour but felt it wasn't worth a yellow card.
"What we see and what the ref might see, we might not agree and we've got to accept it, but I didn't see any punches thrown."
Fullback Peter Savelio worked hard in the wet to move the ball out of Otamatea's half. Photo / John Stone
Hikurangi coaches could not be reached for comment.
In another round two game, the Western Sharks triumphed over Mid Northern 26-7 after the reserves played out a reverse result, Mid Northern winning 37-21. Both games were played at the Kaihu Rugby Club grounds in what had been about 15 years since two senior games had been played there.
In a move which took effect this season, the Western Sharks club sides would be supported by players who belonged to the Kaihu and Ruawai rugby clubs in an effort to bolster numbers and increase the performance level of the premier sides.
Western Sharks premiers head coach Brendan Nathan said it was great for the two senior teams to play in Kaihu after such a long absence.
"Right from the start, it's been a good feeling between all the three clubs with everyone working together," he said.
Due to the change, the Western Sharks reserve team were now allowed by the Northland Rugby Union to wear Kaihu jerseys which was great in Nathan's eyes.
"It just gives them a bit of ownership to their club so they don't lose their identity," he said.
"Visually, it just means that they are representing their club and what the Western Sharks is about which is good, strong rugby."
Results
Premier:
Hikurangi 24 (S. Marshall-Baker 2, I. Arona, D. Harris tries; J. Witehira 2 con) beat Otamatea 5
Kamo 34 (T. Barlow, E. Benny, J. Leaupepe, L. Joyce, J. Straker tries; N Graham 2, J Bentley-Hape con; N Graham pen) beat Kerikeri 12 (T. Smith, F. Sole tries; T. Smith con)
Wellsford 47 (M. Wright 2, PJ. Atkins, V. Sifa, S. Walters-Hansen, N. Warnock, R. Wright tries; T. Blundell 6 con) beat Hora Hora 24 (M. Bennett, J. Matiu, A. Nesbit, J. Viau tries; JR Wright 2 con)
Waipū 27 (S. Abraham 2, K. Davies, B. Tou tries; W. Faiane 2 con; W. Faiane pen) beat OBM 14 (R. Smith, A. Stokes tries; J. Kapa 2 con)
Western Sharks 26 (J. Glamuzina, M. Matich, M. Warring tries; J. Povey con; J. Povey 3 pen) beat Mid Northern 7
Premier Reserves:
Otamatea 31 (Jay. Kemp 2, B. Boakes, Jam. Kemp, D. Pool tries; P. Grundy, Jay. Kemp, N. Makea con) beat Hikurangi 15
Kamo 29 (J. Monaghan 3, B. Crossan, M. Miller tries; D. Timms 2 con) beat Kerikeri 29 (G. Hill 2, A. Kelemete, A. Richards tries; M. Halverson 3 con; M. Halverson pen)
Hora Hora 22 beat Wellsford 19 (C. Barbour, J. Connolly, C. Houghton tries; S. Comber 2 con)
Waipū 43 (J. Allen 2, J. Fetelika, B. Mathers, R. Momoedonu, S. Uluinakauvadra, penalty try tries; D. Barriball 3 con) beat OBM 17 (T Attwood, A. Ryburn tries; A. Ryburn 2 con, A. Ryburn pen)
Mid Northern 37 (K. Debeuaise 2, J. Salele 2, T. Williamson 2, D. Gavin tries; J. Potter con) beat Western Sharks 21 (A. Vatunavuku 2, T. Stokes tries; B. Beattie 3 con)
