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Comeback wins for Wellington Samoa U18s and Wairarapa-bush as Horowhenua-Kapiti well beaten

There was 70 points scored at Evans Bay Park in the final fixture of the year for both the Wellington Samoa and Wellington Māori U18s teams. Photo: Andy McArthur. 

  • By Steven White & Scott MacLean

A round-up below of rugby that we covered today, which included the final U18s representative match of the year and two Heartland Championship matches.

At Evans Bay Park, the Wellington Samoa U18s came back from a 12-point deficit in the first half to beat the Wellington Māori U18s 46-24 in an exciting finale for both sides.

The Māori U18s jumped to a 19-7 lead, but the Wellington Samoa U18s clawed their way back to trail 19-17 at halftime.

Last week, they were run down in the second half by the Wellington Centurions U18s, but this week it was the Samoa team that produced a strong second spell with a 29-point scoring burst.

Taita College fullback Wesley Faitele scored the first try of the day and ended up with two, as did Paremata-Plimmerton first five Lima Leota, while Scots College left wing Richard Jones finished with a hat-trick in a strong display.

Three tries for Richard Jones. Photo: Andy McArthur.

The Samoa scrum was sound all day, with other players to play well on both attack and defence including Rongotai College No. 8 Naea Fiu, Silverstream lock Jack Stowers and Wellington College flanker Ele Lupo.

Last week’s division B Hurricanes U18 champions Wellington Maori contributed to a thrilling encounter, and they were led up front by Tawa hooker Evan Paenga and in the backs by Tawa College fullback Eden Govind.

Try time for the Wellington Māori U18s. Photo: Andy McArthur.

In the Heartland Championship, there were two matches involving Wellington’s nearest neighbours, and It was a tale of glory for one side and woe for the other.

In Masterton, Wairarapa-Bush were finally able to send their fans home happy after producing massive second half comeback to stun West Coast 38-31 at Memorial Park.

Unlike their past two home outings, the Bush started well but were unable to breach the Coasties defence and there was an air of inevitability when the visitors were able to get on the front foot and had built a 17-0 lead after half an hour. Needing a response the hosts got it when prop Tupou Lea’aemanu crashed over, but that was immediately undone as West Coast scored in reply and took a 24-5 lead into the break.

Whatever coach Reece Robinson did this week did the trick, as Wai-Bush were a different side afterwards. Tafa Tafa, Sam Siaosi, and Fiula Tameilau had all scored inside the first 13 minutes, and the hosts had a 26-24 lead, and stretched that further when winger Soli Malatai punched over in the Marist clubrooms corner.

West Coast answered – a rare scoring moment for those standing at the north end of the ground which included three prominent members of the Upper Hutt Rams hierachy – to tie it up at 31, before the game’s definitive moment. West Coast won a lineout on their own throw but spilled possession, and the ball went through four sets of Bush hands before finding replacement loosie Matt Perry who dragged three over with him to score.

West Coast mounted one final attack, but Malatai of all people won a turnover in midfield and the hosts kept their season alive.

Bush skipper Logan Wakefield was immense for his side in his blazer game, while prop Stan Wright Jnr provided immediate and lasting impact after being introduced from the bench in the first half.

At Levin, Horowhenua-Kapiti were also down 17-0, after almost as many minutes, but unlike in Masterton there was to be no comeback as they were soundly beaten by the Whanganui  Butcher Boys 72-28.

Scoring their fourth try on the stroke of fulltime could mean a home 5 v 8 Lochore Cup semi-final in a fortnight for the Nua who are now seventh with one regular season match to play against third placed Thames Valley next week.

Three of Wellington’s four current club players in the Nua’s line-up try and get something going. Esi Komaisavai with ball in hand and loose forwards Mika Alaifatu and Willie Rua in close support.

Whanganui will be thinking of top tier Meads Cup glory after this win on Levin Domain that was presented in perfect condition for attacking rugby. Whanganui’s defence was impressive all match and they took their opportunities well. In fact, two of their tries were scored directly from kick-offs, and at least two more were scored from turnovers and runaways started 90 metres up field. But taking out those four tries, they were still 25 points better on the day.

The home side was chasing the game from inside the first several minutes, when Whanganui fullback Tyler Rogers-Holden counterattacked with a chip kick from halfway and regathered to score himself and then openside flanker Samu Kabunavanua burst through from close range. A third try made it 17-0 and the Butcher boys had entered the carvery early.

They almost scored their fourth in the far corner, but the Nua scrambled, then the Nua scored up the other end through Levin left wing Willie Paia’aua to close the score to 17-7. Whanganui’s hard running centre Ethan Robinson scored their bonus point try wen he sensationally grabbed the ball back from the next re-start and took off, followed by a fifth to blindside Josefa Namosimalua to make it 27-7.

Blindside Josefa Namosimalua scores a decisive first half try for Whanganui.

The Nua pressed with their best period of play of the match and HOBM flanker Willie Rua scored, but Whanganui centre Robinson scored his second and the visitors led 34-14 at halftime and were turning with a moderate wind at their backs.

There was hope for the Nua when they scored first in the second half, through HOBM No. 8 Mika Alaifatu after a typical dashing break by Paremata-Plimmerton halfback Esi Komaisavai. However, 34-21 was close as the Nua would get as Whanganui scored immediately from the kick-off, and then, aided by fresh legs off the bench, took control and pulled clear of the tiring home side proving it’s a long way from Eden Park to the Levin Domain. A try to left wing Josaia Bogileka, first phase off a scrum in the 22, was a highlight.

South Canterbury remains unbeaten after beating East Coast 25-15 at home. Thames Valley thumped bottom-side Poverty Bay 71-17, Mid Canterbury were too good for Buller 59-14, and King Country saw off North Otago 32-17.

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