There is room for finesse in rugby. If you cannot smash your way to victory, there are other ways to skin the defence. Kaikorai found that way.
The Demons popped the ball behind the defensive line to score a couple of terrific tries to beat Zingari-Richmond 37-12 at Bishopscourt on Saturday.
Powerful No 8 Semisi Ta’eiloa completed victory when he barged his way over on fulltime to secure a four-try bonus point.
He carried strongly, but subtlety played a bigger role in the match.
Ben Miller gathered in a kick and lobbed a pass over the defence to winger Tylar Diack to score a nice try.
Miller featured in the next five-pointer as well. This time the centre made the chip ahead for Highlanders back-up winger Liam Coombes-Fabling.
Coombes-Fabling got pulled down, but halfback Charlie Marsh spotted more space and stabbed through a grubber for speedy fullback Oliver Foote to chase down and dive on before it rolled dead in-goal. Tremendously skilful effort by all involved.
Zingari-Richmond scored a wonderful try shortly after the break. The Colours bruised their way up field and prop Alex Nettleton dived over.
Nettleton, second five Keenan Masina, No 8 Tofatuimoana Solia and Willie Time all had fine games, while Kaikorai blindside Sam Jones dominated the lineout and made a million tackles. Kaikorai first five Nic Proffit had some lovely touches and kicked 17 points.
Green Island 48 University 29
Fullback Finn Hurley paved the way for a dominant performance from Green Island in its 48-29 Challenge Shield victory over University at Logan Park.
It was University’s first defence of the trophy since it ended Green Island’s five-game reign at the end of last season, but any thoughts of another close encounter between the two sides was stamped out by Hurley.
University had taken an early lead through a penalty to Jacob Waikari-Jones.
Hurley then gathered in a kick deep in his own half and weaved and sliced his way through defenders for a sensational 75m individual run to the line.
Minutes later, he was on hand to take the off-load from flanker Heath MacEwan on halfway to scamper down the left touch for a second try.
Hurley went on to score 33 points, a haul that included five long-range penalty goals.
Secure in the knowledge of the attacking and defensive capabilities in the backs, the Green Island pack rarely yielded and gave little space for University to launch, although it did pick up a four-try bonus point.
Alhambra-Union 41 Southern 14
Alhambra-Union scored four tries in the final quarter of the game to dispatch Southern 41-14 at the North Ground.
AU had the bye in the first round and obviously put the extra seven days to good use. It was just that much more polished than Southern out wide.
But Southern struck first. Jack Leslie kicked the ball through and it hit the pads on the post. He scooped it up and scored.
AU first five Ben McCarthy replied with the first of his four penalties in the match, and a try to Tyron Pelasio helped the home team go into the halftime break up 16-7.
McCarthy extended the lead with a penalty shortly after the resumption.
Southern went to the bench, and Mika Mafi and Michael Mata’afa got the Magpies back on the front foot for a short period.
Lock Isaak Parata scored a try and the conversion closed the gap to five points.
The final 20 minutes was all AU.
McCarthy and halfback Noah Hotham operated well and controlled the game.
The set pieces were even, although AU lock Levi Turoa stood out.
Vilimoni Koroi made good decisions and kept the pressure on the defence from the left wing.
Southern blindside flanker Harry Taylor carried well, but the backline was guilty of drifting across field and offering little on attack.
Taieri 43 Harbour 20
The first half of this match was a very even affair, with both sides having solid periods of possession and attack, and defence was of a high standard.
Taieri drew first blood when it stormed on to attack from a Cam Millar break. Fast hands found winger Marc Rooney out wide in some space. He finished in spectacular style as he evaded the cover with a dive over the corner flag and placement with one hand in the field of play.
Harbour came back with a penalty to Josh Robertson-Weepu. Then, late in the spell, winger Freedom Vahaakolo intercepted and went 50m to give Harbour a narrow halftime lead.
The Hawks’ kicking game had been poor and they were made to pay when Taieri centre Mitchell Scott returned with interest, beat a couple of tackles and put halfback Bob Martin away.
Harbour began to tire, and Millar exploited that with a searing break to put winger Josh Casey away.
Hooker Brady Robertson had already scored from a charge down, Rooney touched down again from an intercept, and Te-Korohi Rupene took the Eels into the 40s when he got on the end of the chain.
Replacement hooker Angus Hewett scored a consolation try to put some respectability into the score.
Robertson and prop Cameron Allan-McNeill were outstanding for the Eels. Millar’s running and kicking were a delight and Scott was a persistent irritant to the Harbour defence.
For Harbour, lock Taylor Dale and halfback Nathan Hastie were far and away the best on show.
- ODT rugby writers
