TA Sports hang on for bonus point win
10th April 2011 12:58PM
Te Awamutu Sports vs. Hamilton Marist at Albert Park, April 9th 2011
By Hamish Forsman
Te Awamutu Sports have come away with a 32-28 bonus point win over Hamilton Marist in round three of Waikato premier division club rugby.
In an entertaining match it was the home team Te Awamutu who made the most of their opportunities when they had the ball, handing Marist their third loss in a row.
Marist started positively and scored early through fullback Trent Renata after a good kick return from first-five Joe Reynolds.
Te Awamutu then began to settle down after Marist’s fast start, kicking a penalty and then getting their first try after 25 minutes.
It was wing Henare Raukawa who scored, in his starting debut, and first five Nathan George converted from the sideline to put the hosts into the lead.
Two Marist penalty kicks from Reynolds swung the game back in Marist’s favour as their large share of the possession began to tell.
However Te Awamutu scored right on half time and the lead changed hands once more.
Shortly after the break Te Awamutu scored again after a long run down the sideline by wing Inoke Tuibua was finished off by fullback Waylon Tangohau. George again added the extras from out wide.
A Marist try with 20 minutes left got them back into the match, but Te Awamutu replied immediately with a try of their own to secure the bonus point.
Marist made one last surge as they scored with two minutes remaining to get within four points, and there were some nervous last few moments for the home side. But it was not enough as Te Awamutu hung on for the win.
“It was pretty close in the end and could have gone either way, so to get the win with a bonus point is very pleasing”, said Te Awamutu coach Martyn Steffert.
“Marist started better but we seemed to score our points at the right times. Our purple patch either side of half time was probably the difference”.
Te Awamutu were without four regular starters on Waikato Sevens duty in Scotland, and Steffert said he was pleased with how his side stepped up.
The standout in the forward pack was lock Chris Middleton who was dominant in the line outs and mobile around the park, while in the backs Nathan George kicked some important goals and directed play well.
Other Premier division results
University 24 Morrinsville Sports 18
Hamilton Old Boys 44 Hautapu 15
Fraser Tech 45 Te Rapa 10
Otorohanga 22 Melville 11
Division one results
Raglan 32 Kereone 30
Taupiri 9 Southern United 5
United Matamata Sports 69 Pirongia 0
Hinuera 35 Frankton 7
Putaruru 69 Leamington 3
