Te Rarawa asserts Cup dominance

Te Rarawa completed the Mangonui winter rugby season by dominating the annual World Cup tournament on Saturday, taking out two titles and seeing its players receive three of the four player-of-the-year awards up for grabs in under-11 and under-13 grades.

Te Rarawa under-11s took out their final to complete an unbeaten season. However, they had to work hard for the 25-10 win coming from behind against a fiercely competitive Awanui unit which led 10-0 at halftime, noted coach Shelford Murray.

"Awanui tackled ferociously and showed speed out wide to score their tries and put Te Rarawa on the back foot. In the second half Te Rarawa slowly asserted their authority through their forwards and dominated territory. I think it was fitness that made the difference, my team showed great character by coming back strong in the second half."

Rarawa tries by Taitimu Murray (later awarded the U11s' Most Outstanding Player) 2, Bailey Lunjevich, Maihoa Namana Blair and Kauri Tane; with captain Allan Craig (U11 Sportsmanship award) adding a conversion and a penalty.

Tee Rarawa under-13s coached by Jim Larkin led 10-nil at halftime but thanks to some surprising lethargy and average handling, had to survive a comeback from Eastern which saw the Taipa team take the lead back 14-10. Rarawa eventually scored the winning try in the last minute of play to complete an unbeaten season. Both Rarawa teams were well supported throughout the day and the club gave thanks to all the coaching and management staff, the Te Rarawa JMB committee, parents, caregivers and whanau.

Elsewhere, the under-7 title was won by Awanui, beating Eastern in convincing fashion; while Kaitaia took out the under-9 title in a somewhat closer fashion despite the best efforts of a gallant North Hokianga.

Final flourish in MangonuiThe Mangonui junior rugby season was concluded in beautiful conditions on the last day of winter at Arnold Rae Park with a total of 29 teams and over 420 players representing nine clubs taking the field with an estimated 300-odd spectators/ supporters there to witness proceedings. Of course, as one sideline commentator noted, being junior sport, the event tended to bring out both the best and the worst in people. That includes disgruntled parents levelling the timeless accusation of favouritism - internally at club coaches for overlooking their children, and externally at officials and the governing body for a perceived bias and undemocratic behaviour. In the first instance, it's often a fair call: many coaches obviously have some difficulty playing everyone - as demanded by an unwritten charter - and the desire to W-I-N can become an obsession for some. In the second case, one cannot help but wonder whether these most outspoken of critics will be seen putting their hand up to either run this tournament and/ or referee next season ...

The Te Hauora O Te Hiku O Te Ika JMB World Cup tournament - and the JMB season - was organised by Kelvin Horsford who has done the often thankless task for the past 14 years or so. Like many local parents, Horsford experienced mixed feelings at the climax to the season's football, pleased the World Cup was once again, very successful, largely thanks to the support provided by the event's principal sponsors. But he also expressed a certain misgiving.

"Unfortunately nobody was here to fly the NRU flag and promote Northland Rugby as had been previously indicated would happen. I think it's a great opportunity missed," Horsford said.

"On a positive note in the conversations I have had with grassroots rugby supporters up here recently, there is a marked increase in support for NRU mostly based on the selection of the number of 'True' Northland players in the ITM Cup squad. Every opportunity to build on that support needs to be taken where possible."

Results from the Mangonui JMB World Cup finals on Saturday: Under-7s (this division featuring nine teams): Awanui 19 tries beat Eastern 12 tries; the grade's Most Outstanding Player award went to Nikau Dromgool (Awanui), while the Sportsmanship award went to Milin Windelborn (Kaitaia). Under-9s (eight teams): Kaitaia 8 tries beat North Hokianga 5 tries; Most Outstanding Player: Kayson Ormsby (Kaitaia), Sportsmanship: True Waikai (Waipapakauri).

Under-11s (six teams in all): Te Rarawa 25 (5 tries) beat Awanui 10 (2 tries); Most Outstanding Player: Taitimu Murray (Rarawa), Sportsmanship: Allan Craig (Rarawa). Under-13s (6 teams): Te Rarawa 15 (3 tries) beat Eastern 14 (2 tries); Most Outstanding Player: Dalton Armstrong (Takahue); Sportsmanship: Pukeroa Rollo (Rarawa).