League: Ngongotaha snatch last-gasp victory over Taupo

Ngongotaha Chiefs' player James Filipo was one of the standout's for his side on the weekend.

The Ngongotaha Chiefs' camp is full of confidence after the side snatched a dramatic win through the boot of Luke Taylor in a thrilling Waicoa Bay premiership contest.

They beat top four side Taupo Phoenix 24-22 at Puketawhero Park on Saturday, having to come from 12-0 down early on in the highly contested battle.

Ngongotaha manager Andrew Taylor praised his side for a "gutsy performance" against a side they had lost heavily to earlier this season.

"The side really stepped up their game and threw everything at Taupo. They never gave up and challenged hard in every area," he said.

"An excellent defensive effort really won on the day. Taupo had some very fast backs but we contained them and forced them into mistakes.

"We've built up some good momentum over the past few weeks and this result shows we can beat any of the top teams."

Ngongotaha went in all square at halftime at 12 all thanks to tries from Harlem Lea Tigaga-Angell and James Redstone and two conversions from Luke Taylor.

With four minutes to play Ngongotaha were losing 22-18 but a Tai Kapua try and Luke Taylor penalty kept them in touch. After good work in the forwards, the ball was spread wide to Ngongotaha's Joe Nuku, who slid over in the left corner.

Luke Taylor then calmly slotted home the pressure kick from a difficult position out wide, much to the delight of the ecstatic home support.

"I almost couldn't watch it," said Andrew Taylor. "But if you want to be competing with the big boys it's those moments in games where you've got to stay cool. Hard running kept us in and at no point did we let our heads drop."

Some standout performances included the Filipo brothers James and Matthew and Eroni Seibouma.

Ngongotaha had lost 44-4 in the reverse fixture but Andrew Taylor and his side, who had previously been bottom of the table, now still have an outside chance of reaching the semifinals next month.

"This win puts us in a great position and I want us to win all of our remaining games," he said. "Of course we may have to rely on other teams around us, so all I can ask of the players is to play their hearts out in the last remaining fixtures."

Ngongotaha will look to take their confidence into their home mid-week fixture on Wednesday against third-placed Pacific Sharks.

Meanwhile Pikiao Warriors suffered their fourth defeat in a row losing 54-28 away to Otumoetai Eels.

Results:

Waicoa Bay Premiership:
Ngongotaha Chiefs 24 Taupo Phoenix 22
Otumoetai Eels 54 Pikiao Warriors 28
United 6 Hamilton City Tigers 76
Turangawaewae 6 Taniwharau 66
Pacific Sharks - Bye

Waicoa Bay Reserves:
Central Lions 54 Reporoa Razorbacks 18
Otumoetai Eels 48 Pikiao Warriors 20
United 0 Hamilton City Tigers 20
Turangawaewae 12 Taniwharau 34
Pacific Sharks - Bye

Bay of Plenty/ Coastline Division 1:
Papamoa Bulldogs 6 Taneatua Warriors 46
Tauhara Te Maunga 22 Putauaki Stags 42
Mangakino Hawks - Bye