Round Eight: Morrinsville vs Te Awamutu
15th May 2011 02:03PM
By Hamish Forsman
A hat-trick of tries to Mark Murray has helped Te Awamutu Sports to a bonus point win over Morrinsville Sports in round eight of Waikato premier division rugby.
Te Awamutu improved as the game went on after a slow start at Campbell Park in Morrinsville - outscoring the hosts five tries to three for a 42-17 win.
The match was a lot closer than the final score line suggests and Morrinsville dominated the first quarter of the match. Their early pressure resulted in two tries and they led 10-6 for most of the first half.
Then two tries in five minutes to centre Mark Murray swung the game in the visitors favour.
Murray’s first try was a brilliant individual effort as he beat several defenders on a run that started in his own half. A few minutes later he was in again after intercepting a Morrinsville pass and running 30 metres to score.
The double strike put Te Awamutu ahead 20-10 at half time.
They added another try quickly after the break. Hooker Simon Kay scored from a rolling maul and all of a sudden Te Awamutu had opened up a 15 point lead.
Morrinsville replied immediately as they marched back into Te Awamutu territory and scored their third try.
The rest of the game was evenly fought but Te Awamutu added two more tries to blow the score out.
Inoke Tuibua made a break down the left wing to set up the bonus point try to Ryan Meacheam and then another intercept try to Murray right on full time completed his hat-trick.
Other premier division results
Otorohanga 36 Te Rapa 12
University 10 Melville 19
Hautapu 5 Hamilton Marist 20
Hamilton Old Boys 29 Fraser Tech 20
