League: Taupō topple defending champions Ngongotahā

Ngongotahā's Joseph Nuku looks to fend off a Taupō tackler. Photo / Stephen Parker

The Taupō Phoenix suggested they would be a tough team to beat this season when they made the Bay of Plenty Nines final last weekend.

They confirmed it today, when they took down the defending champion Ngongotahā Chiefs 30-26 in round one of the Bay of Plenty Premier Rugby league Championship.

Taupō showed their worth in the opening three minutes after they were awarded a penalty deep inside Ngongotahā territory.

They took a quick tap and went on the attack. The ball was shifted to the left where centre Stevie Henry produced a monstrous run, bouncing out of three tackles before diving in to score in the corner. Fullback Ayden Inglis nailed the conversion for a 6-0 lead.

The next 20 minutes was a decent arm wrestle as both sides struggled a little with their handling, which can be expected in the first game of the season, before Ngongotahā made a breakthrough.

After a penalty to help them out of their own end they had a full set on attack. They created an overlap on the left hand side and Joseph Nuku strolled over to score and reduce the deficit to 6-4.

Thirty minutes into the first half Ngongotahā took the lead for the first time.

They had the ball about 40m out, worked it to the left with a neat passing play and set Chase Mascord free on the wing.

He brushed off a would-be tackler and went in to score. Ngongotahā led 8-6.

Taupō were not disheartened by losing the lead and struck back almost immediately.

Halfback Freedom Carson scored a quick fire double to give his side a handy 18-8 lead over the defending champions at halftime.

Taupō suffered a rough start to the second half, inviting pressure from the opposition with an error on their own 30m line before giving away a penalty.

Ngongotahā accepted the invitation and centre Max Redstone crashed over under the posts. The try was converted and Ngongotahā trailed 18-14.

Ngongotahā then put themselves under pressure with a knock-on inside their own half. Carson scooped up the loose ball for Taupō and took off before being tackled a metre short of the try line.

They moved the ball left where John Koko put in a grubber which bounced up perfectly for the winger to score. Once again Inglis had the radar working and nailed the conversion from the sideline to make it 24-14.

Ngongotahā refused to go away and with 20 minute left in the game reduced the deficit to 24-20 with a converted try to hooker Tai Kapua.

Trailing by less than a converted try it was well and truly game on.

With seven minutes to play Ngongotahā threw everything at Taupō. It paid off when Redstone crashed over for his second try. The try was converted and with the clock ticking down Ngongotahā led 26-24.

Ngongotahā just needed to complete their sets and hold on in defence for five minutes but with seconds left to play, Taupō produced a royal flush.

They worked the ball left where Henry, who had been breaking tackles at will all day, slipped away from a defender and scored the match-winning try, igniting raucous celebrations from the Taupō bench.

Inglis maintained his perfect kicking record with the conversion to put the cherry on top of the 30-26 win.

Bay of Plenty Rugby League Results

Premier
Pacific 48-16 Pikiao
Ngongotahā 26-30 Taupō
Mangakino bye

Reserves
Pacific 32-22 Pikiao
Central 32-20 Taupō
Putauaki bye