TA Sports fall to Ōtorohanga

• Author: RUGBY Justin Miezenbeek
• Published date: 25 May 2023
• Publication title: Te Awamutu Courier

They are level with University but hold fifth spot due to their superior points differential, which sets up a key fixture at Albert Park next week where the two sides meet, the winner securing a spot in the top five

Heavy rain in the lead-up and throughout the match meant ball security was at a premium and both sides struggled for control, but it was the hosts who fared better in the end with a three tries to two victory.

Hooker Manase Mohuanga and midfielder Shauncy Waho scored Te Awamutu’s tries, while Sam Toa added a penalty goal to round out the scoring.

Sports had the better of the opening stanza, driving Ōtorohanga back into their quarter and attacking the line, but were held out by some bruising defence.

Toa had a long range shot for goal after 10 minutes but his attempt drifted right in the wind, while the hosts answered with a long range shot of their own, judged perfectly for a 3-0 lead after 20 minutes.

Constant pressure on the Ōtorohanga line finally paid dividends for Te Awamutu, with Mohuanga crashing over from a rolling maul to open their account, the difficult shot from out wide unsuccessful for a 5-3 lead.

Sports held their own line while under pressure then found reward through Toa’s boot as the half closed for an 8-3 lead at the break.

An untidy exit from the opening kickoff in the second spell had Sports hard on their line, unable to hold out and Ōtorohanga took the lead 10-8.

The ebb and flow of strong attack held off by even stronger defence continued through the next 15 minutes before the hosts struck again to extend their lead to 17-8 as the match headed for the final quarter.

With just over 10 to play, Sports surged onto the attack, with unyielding pressure being rewarded when Waho, the competition’s top try-scorer, picked up his 10th of the season.

Usually operating out wide in space, Waho crashed over from a pick and go off the ruck, and the game was delicately poised at 17-13 with 10 minutes to play.

Ōtorohanga, however, all but sealed their win with another try in the closing minutes, followed by a penalty goal on fulltime.

With conditions as they were, it was always going to be a battle through the forwards and lock Tai Cribb and prop Manahi Goulton starred, rolling up their sleeves and getting through a massive workload, while winger Elijah Mataira impressed in his first Premier action of the season.

MVP POINTS: 3: Tai Cribb, 2: Manahi Goulton, 1: Elijah Mataira.

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