Te Awamutu wins Stan Meads Cup
12th September 2011 08:15PM
Te Awamutu's sub-union rugby side has wrapped up the Stan Meads Cup after a hard-fought 28-22 win over Central Bay of Plenty in the competition's final round.
Travelling to Rotorua on Saturday, the undefeated Te Awamutu side made hard work of a game they were tipped to win easily.
They did just enough to ensure a win with No8 Rory Grice and first-five Waylon Tangohau scoring tries. Ben Gisler's accurate boot added six penalties, which proved to be the difference.
Hamilton had little trouble in their final-round match against King Country B at Fred Jones Park on Saturday, running in six tries for a 41-8 win.
Although only leading 14-8 at halftime, the hosts were always in control and a try-scoring burst midway through the second half sent them on their way to another bonus-point win.
Hamilton started the match positively and moved the ball around at pace, resulting in two tries in the first quarter to dangerous outside backs Matt Kenny and Jono Malo.
King Country responded quickly and scored a breakout try against the run of play to go with an earlier penalty kick that brought them back into the match.
The visitors were forced to do most of the defending throughout the first half, but Hamilton were unable to add to their score as they were guilty of being impatient with the ball.
Hamilton tweaked their game plan in the second half which brought more structure to their play. They began to assert control in the forwards thanks to strong performances from lock Peni Iowane, hooker Thomas De Malmanche and No8 Sione Taufa.
The new tactics soon paid off with three tries in five minutes midway through the half to Kenny, halfback Matt Cameron and loose forward Rick Fluhler opening a comfortable margin.
Hamilton upped the tempo of their game, bringing on several big ball playing forwards from the bench and the King Country side had no answer. The visitors began to tire and lose their shape on defence as Hamilton produced several threatening attacks with much better ball control.
Hard-running second-five Phil Mourits capped an impressive game by scoring Hamilton's final try late in the game.
