University sits atop the ORL competition, remaining unbeaten after its 22-20 victory over the Dunedin Bears on Saturday.
The Kia Toa Tigers are back to winning ways after a 46-28 result over the South Pacific Raiders at Kensington Oval.
University notched up its third consecutive win in a battle of attrition with the Bears. The Bears lost half Owen Draper early in the match, with a cut above his eye. The direction and game management he provides were desperately missed, with the Bears struggling to turn attacking opportunities into points. Lock Camrin Brown had an impressive performance, scoring a try and running with speed and elusive footwork to keep the University defensive line under pressure. The metres Brown gained provided a good platform for his side, and he found support in Reuben Katene and Jershon Wihong.
Injuries early in the second half forced some University players into positional changes that left the team vulnerable in the middle of the field. The Bears capitalised, scoring two quick tries. Prop Tyson Ball came off the bench to shore up the middle of the field defensively and, after putting in some solid shots, he applied pressure on the Bears with his own running game. Ball scored a try in the dying minutes to level the scores at 20-20, and man of the match Finn Langdale, who also scored a crucial try from a great line break and a 70m dash, stepped up to the tee and slotted the conversion to put University in front with less than a minute left on the clock to effectively win the game for his side.
The Kia Toa Tigers look to have found form in their first win of the season with their new-look line-up due to their injury list that continues to build. The forward pack was able to gain vital metres through the middle of the field, and props Koben Katipa and Jordan Fuatavai regularly got over the advantage line with strong carries. Joseph Wrathall and Hagan Free also utilised their skills in getting quick play-the-balls and then manipulating ill-prepared ruck defenders with sharp footwork.
The Raiders’ defensive woes led to points being conceded regularly but when they managed to hold on to the ball, they scored points of their own. Louis Tili directed the Raiders’ attack, and his passing and kicking game put the Tigers under immense pressure. Wingers Teremoana Hamblin and Mackenzie Haugh had standout performances, Hamblin finishing plays well and Haugh taking advantage of kick returns and putting immense effort into kick chases.
- Ricki Allan
