Ngongotaha centre William Seywell makes a run against Arataki during the first Baywide Premier rugby match of the season. Photo / Stephen Parker
Ngongotaha centre William Seywell makes a run against Arataki during the first Baywide Premier rugby match of the season. Photo / Stephen Parker
There was an energy and enthusiasm present at the Ngongotaha Domain on Saturday which suggested the home side was going to be tough to beat.
Despite some nerves and handling issues early on against Arataki, Ngongotaha marked their return to Baywide Premier rugby with a 26-20 win.
Arataki led 8-0 after 15 minutes thanks to a penalty goal and a superb solo try by winger Warrick Lynn, who pinballed out of about four tackles to cross the line.
Despite trailing, the more the Ngongotaha players got their hands on the ball, the more confident they appeared. They made the breakthrough after a period of possession in the Arataki 22 as they spread the ball right to winger Elijah Vili who juggled it, regathered and sliced through a gap to score. The try was converted to reduce the deficit to 8-7.
Ngongotaha had the momentum and with five minutes left in the half they produced some razzle dazzle to extend their lead. Centre William Seywell hit a gap in the 22 and offloaded to a teammate, who produced an offload of his own, on the inside, for Alby King to score next to the posts.
Early in the second half the home side were in again as Vili scored his second. Damel Taui charged into the 22 and summed up the situation perfectly as he drew in the defence to create an overlap for Vili to score in the corner.
Ngongotaha's Leighton Simpkins on the charge. Photo / Stephen Parker
Trailing by 19-8, Arataki began to pile on the pressure and were awarded several penalties inside the Ngongotaha half. However, they were unable to break through the defensive line.
Having held out their opposition in their own half, Ngongotaha went back on the attack and were on the front foot thanks to a rumbling run up the middle by second five Leighton Simpkins. They worked their way into the 22 and scored a bonus point fourth try through flanker Zak Hohneck to lead 26-8 with 20 minutes left to play.
Arataki scored two tries in the final 10 minutes to earn themselves a bonus point and ensure a nervy finish for the home side, but Ngongotaha held on for the win.
Ngongotaha coach Jodie Wharekura said he "could not have asked for a better result at the end of the day".
"We've been gearing up for this for a long time and to beat a team like Arataki, they'll throw everything at you every time you play them and they certainly did that today. They never gave up.
"It's a great occasion, it's a culmination of a whole lot of things really. The coming together of our community and it was a great day with the development side winning as well," Wharekura said.
Meanwhile, Rotoiti started their 2018 premier campaign with a 24-all draw with Te Puna and Whakarewarewa were dominant in their 73-33 win over Whakatane Marist.
In Division 1, Marist St Michael's won a close local derby against Waikite 22-20 and Kahukura beat Poroporo 24-0.
Baywide Premier 1 Results: Ngongotaha 26 v Arataki 20 Te Puna 24 v Rotoiti 24 Tauranga Sports 31 v Rangataua 12 Whakarewarewa 73 v Whakatane Marist 33 Mount Maunganui Sports 118 v Paroa 0 Greerton Marist 22 v Te Puke Sports 20
Baywide Premier 1 Development Results: Ngongotaha 20 v Arataki 19 Te Puna 34 v Rotoiti 14 Rangataua 29 v Tauranga Sports 0 Whakarewarewa 28 Whakatane Marist 10 Mount Maunganui Sports v Paroa - Mount Maunganui Sports won by default Greerton Marist 20 v Te Puke Sports 0
Baywide Division 1 Results: Ruatoki 34 v Papamoa 25 Te Teko 81 v Waimana 0 Marist St Michael's 22 v Waikite 20 Kahukura 24 v Poroporo 0 Opotiki 48 v Murupara 7 Rangiuru 76 v Judea 15
