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Fulltime in the Hardham Cup final.
Wainuiomata are the 2024 Premier 2 Hardham Cup champions, beating Paremata-Plimmerton 24-19 in the final at a fine but breezy Porirua Park early this afternoon.
It was close throughout, but it was a 76th minute long-range penalty to first-five Andrew Wells that put them 10 points up and made the result safe. Paremata-Plimmerton would score a conslation try a minute from the end to make it close.
There were few surprises in Wainuiomata’s play, using their ball running forwards to make steady inroads and make several key turnovers that sifled much of Paremata-Plimmerton’s momentum. Wainuiomata’s backs were also dangerous. Paremata-Plimmerton had a good scrum but fell flat on several occasions whilst in good positions to make it pay.
Playing into a moderate wind in the first half, Paremata-Plimmerton made the first searing break of the final from a srcum on halfway, but turned it over near the tryline – which was a portent of what was to come.
Wainuiomata rallied and Tane Tane missed a 50 metre shot on goal. Momentum stayed with Wainuiomata and they went close to scoring the opening try of the final in the 10th minute after a concerted build-up.
That first try subsequently came, following a tap penalty by halfback Keanu Kotuhi who sliced through traffic up past thee and passed out wide to his brother and left wing Renata who scored in the corner. First five Andrew Wells slotted the sideline conversion for a 7-0 lead.
Now past the first quarter, Paremata-Plimmerton had a golden chance of striking back through a series of srcums and penalties under the posts. But Wainuiomata won a relieving scrum penalty and the chance was gone.
Wells advanced Wainuiomata’s score to 10-0 in the 27th minute with a 38-metre penalty on the angle.
He made it 13-0 in the 32nd minute, following a lovely pass out to left wing Kotuhi by centre Peter Umaga-Jensen that pushed them close, then 16-0 in the 36th minute after more swarming attack with ball in hand.
Paremata-Plimmerton were always threatening, and they profited with a much-needed try just before halftime through No. 8 Alex Fidow crashing over from close range. First five Sam Clarke’s conversion was good and it was now 16-7 at halftime.
Wainuiomata went close to making a dream start to the second half, with a Wells blindside break and inside pass just going to ground.
They rallied and after a big break by Umaga-Jensen they then spent two minutes building phases close the line, before ripping it wide and the man with no jersey number, Tyler Tane, scoring the first try of the second half to make it 21-7 with about 25 minutes to play.
In the 68th minute, Paremata-Plimmerton launched a likely attack with a swag of replacements on the field. This included livewire replacement halfback Esi Komaisavai, who found left wing Northcott but the blond flash was bundled into touch in the corner.
Paremata-Plimmerton had another shot from a penalty and scrum under the posts and replacement lock James Corcoran scored second phase on the openside. Clarke’s conversion made it 21-14 with five minutes to play.
Wainuiomata then won a penalty on halfway and Paremata-Plimmerton were marched back 10 minutes. Now 40 metres out, dead in front, Wells kicked the penalty and it was now 24-14.
Paremata-Plimmerton had to score twice to win.
They scored one of those required tries when Northcott ran on to a Clarke kick to make it 24-19, the final score.
For champions Wainuiomata, our players of the day in the forwards were lock Zane Humphrey, blindside Teru Time and No. 8 Henry Time-Stowers. In the backs, Wells and Umaga-Jensen were strong figures.
For Paremata-Plimmerton, flanker turned No. 8 Christian Fa’avae was a workhorse all game and lock Zeke Fiso played well.
