King Country falter in first taste of third division

Horowhenua-Kapiti made better use of possession and opportunities to beat King Country 30-28 in an NPC third division rugby match in Te Kuiti today.

Each side scored four tries but King Country committed basic mistakes to allow Horowhenua-Kapiti back in the game after the home side led 23-15 with 20 minutes remaining.

Horowhenua-Kapiti were first to score when flanker Dave Tiriha crossed for a converted try in the fourth minute.

King Country, in their first game in the bottom rung after being relegated from the second division last season, responded four minutes later with a try to Ronnie Patea.

Michael Stokes and King Country first five-eighth Roger Warren then each kicked a penalty before Horowhenua-Kapiti hooker Keith Lilligan scored a try from wide out one minute before halftime to give his side a halftime advantage of 15-8.

King Country looked more committed in the second half, with winger Luke Gates scoring the first of his three tries three minutes after the resumption.

They took the lead 16-15 when Warren kicked a penalty five minutes later and Gates got his second try which was converted to stretch the lead to 23-15.

Horowhenua-Kapiti came back in the closing quarter with tries to replacement Eldon Patea and No 8 Jack Keogh, while Stokes added a penalty and conversion.

Gates then scored his third try two minutes from fulltime, with Warren missing the conversion which would have drawn the game.

Horowhenua-Kapiti 30 (Dave Tiriha, Keith Lilligan, Eldon Patea, Jack Keogh tries; Michael Stokes 2 pen, 2 con)

King Country 28 (Luke Gates 3, Ronnie Patea tries; Roger Warren 2 pen, con). Halftime: 15-8.

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)