Tie at top of Stan Meads Cup table
29th August 2011 06:13PM
By Hamish Forsman
Te Awamutu and Hamilton have moved into equal first-place on the Stan Meads Cup rugby table after both recorded bonus-point wins in round three, setting up a top-of-the-table clash in Otorohanga this weekend.
The two sides have been building towards their much anticipated fourth-round clash, which doubles as a Peace Cup challenge after Te Awamutu's successful defence against King Country B on Friday night at Albert Park.
Te Awamutu were made to work hard, however, grinding out a 22-9 victory, and despite leading from start to finish the hosts were under pressure for large periods of the game from a spirited King Country side in what was a typical cup challenge game.
The first half was played at a frantic pace and dominated largely by King Country, however, their effort amounted to little as they lacked punch on attack. Te Awamutu took the limited chances that came their way with two tries to centre Inoke Tuibua, who was a constant threat with ball in hand, while hooker Brad van der Heyden led the way up front.
King Country continued to make all the play in the second half against the much bigger Te Awamutu side and finally got points on the board as three penalty kicks brought them back into the match.
But just as the visiting supporters were entertaining the thought of an upset, Waikato No 8 Rory Grice scored for Te Awamutu, before a charged down kick near fulltime led to Te Awamutu's bonus point try.
Hamilton, meanwhile, had an easier time of it as they cruised to a 66-7 win against Thames Valley B.
The home side had far too much pace and power for Thames Valley, running in 10 tries in fine conditions at Fred Jones Park.
The visitors put up a decent fight in the first half, trailing 26-7 at the break and were unlucky to be that far behind after some promising periods of attack in Hamilton territory.
However, the floodgates then opened as Hamilton turned it up a gear to score six tries in the last 25 minutes. As the Valley side tired the home team took full advantage, moving the ball around the backline at pace, often launching their scoring attacks from well inside their own half.
Prop Loni Uhila was the standout, scoring three tries from strong runs that left defenders sprawling, and wing Matt Kenny and halfback Jono Malo each scored two, while Kane Adams had a fine game running the show from first-five, scoring 19 points with a try and seven conversions.
