League: Ngongotaha open account at Taneatua

STRIDE: Pikiao centre Cameron Walters pushes out of a tackle during Saturday's win over Taupo at Puketawhero Park. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER 270517sp14.JPG

Ngongotaha Chiefs got their first competition points of the season in the battle of the bottom clubs on Saturday.

Coach Jason Walker said it was both pleasing and a relief to be off zero points after his side had travelled to Taneatua and come away with a 20-10 win.

It was talk rather than physical training that he felt had helped the Chiefs to the win.

"We had a good session before the game, and the boys came together a lot better and they played as a team rather than individuals," said Walker.

Obviously we had some issues that we had to look at that came out in the meeting and that showed in the game. It cleared the air and [on the field] they wanted to back each other and so played much better.

"The boys enjoyed themselves and it's something to build on. Hopefully it continues and we keep progressing.

Still down on numbers - just 15 fit players made the trip through a combination of injury and unavailability - Walker said he hoped he would have a full squad for next weekend's game against Pacific.

At Puketawhero Park, Pikiao bounced back from the previous weekend's loss to the table topping Otumoetai Eels with a comprehensive 56-20 win over Taupo Phoenix.

In the other game, Otumoetai beat Pacific 12-8 while Mangakino had the bye.