RUGBY - Ritchie try proves the difference in tight win

David HolwellMid Northern's 21-18 defeat of northern rivals Hikurangi will long be remembered by young Andrew Ritchie.
The blindside flanker, who was playing his first match at lock for Mid Northern, went from hero to zero just before halftime after a great 30m run to the tryline was wasted as he lost the ball forward in the act of scoring - or so it seemed anyway.
"I went down on it but it popped out as soon as it hit the ground, but I did score," Ritchie insisted.
Referee Zeniff Haika, the linesmen, all the Hikurangi supporters and the neutrals disagreed, so a defensive scrum was set.
But the Gods were smiling on Ritchie on Saturday and Karaan Going capitalised on Hikurangi's worst scrum of the half to somehow grab the ball and score a scavenger's try to give the home side a 14-3 lead at the break.
Mid Northern were the better side throughout the half and went ahead midway through the spell with Vaughan Going capitalising from a backline move that worked like clockwork, started from an attacking lineout just outside the 22m.
The second spell saw the home side improve their scrum - which Tim Knight and the Hikurangi front row had pushed all over the park in the first half - and collectively play their best rugby. Hikurangi's defence however proved to be up to the challenge, beating them back more than once when a try seemed inevitable.
Cue another piece of midfield magic by David Howell, in the 55th minute, to put Vaughan Going into a gaping hole in the midfield and as he drew the Hikurangi cover defence, who else should pop up on his outside but Ritchie.
This time he made no mistake with the put-down in the corner.
"I pinned my ears back and went for the line and was a bit more careful about the ball although it still bounced up a bit," Ritchie said.
Howell converted from the sideline and the Mid Northern faithful started to relax with their comfortable 21-6 lead.
Hikurangi weren't letting their northern neighbours off lightly, however, and they finally began to get some traction. Damian Fakafanua, who had a relatively quiet match, broke through a couple of tackles to canter to the line to narrow the gap to 21-11.
The try gave the visitors a sniff of a comeback and they finished strongly, dominating territory and possession in the final 10 minutes. The home side's defence held strongly until time was almost up on the clock and Rhyan Caine finally darted across to score at close range. With Henry Foy's conversion the gap was narrowed to three points but it was too little, too late and the final whistle blew moments after the restart.
Mid Northern skipper Nick Lake said he was pleased with the way that the team's overall game was developing. The tight five had improved from a first half working over - particularly in the scrum.
"We've been working a bit on our scrum, we've still got a way to go but Hikurangi are a good team up front and it's been winning games for them and we knew if our tight five could take it and then give it back to them then our backline could finish the job off and that's what happened," he said.
Lake said if Mid Northern wanted to win the title, then the forwards would have to share the load.
"Everyone expects Mid Northern to go out wide straight away and that means the [opposition] loosies are hanging off and manning up on our backs and we've had a talk about it and we know our tight five have to step up and do more work, more pick and goes to drag in their loosies ... that's been the game plan we're working through and that's why we're training hard," he said.
RESULTS
Southern Districts Premier: Marist 5 Hora Hora 50; Wellsford 64 Kamo 7; Mid Northern 21 Hikurangi 18; Old Boys 17 Western Sharks 24; Mid Western 24 Waipu 0.
Southern Districts Premier Reserves: Marist 10 Hora Hora 78; Kamo 14 Wellsford 12; Mid Northern 13 Hikurangi 6; Western Sharks 17 Old Boys 8; Mid Western 20 Waipu 10.
Southern Districts Division 2: Southern 28 Tomarata 8; Kaihu 33 Dargaville Old Boys 0; Ruawai 95 Waimarie 0; Whangaruru 39 Mangakahia 9; Pipiwai 26 Onerahi 14.
Mangonui Premier: Waipapakauri 15 Aupouri 12; Kaitaia 36 Eastern 0; TeRarawa 10 Awanui 6.
Bay of Island Premier: Kaeo 47 South Hokianga 0; United Kawakawa 36 Kerikeri 6; Moerewa 88 Okaihau/Kaikohe 0; Ohaeawai 53 Otiria 0.
Northland-wide U18: Ninety Milers 69 HoraHora 10; Kamo 38 Waipu 31; Bay Marlins 24 Whangarei Boys' High School 20; Kamo High School 34 Otamatea 0.