Coast . . . by a point Monday, August 26, 2013 • John Hill RUGBY - KRIS Palmer celebrated his surprise inclusion in the Ngati Porou East Coast starting line-up with a try in a hard-fought 25-24 win against Horowhenua Kapiti at Whakarua Park, Ruatoria, on Saturday. The Hikurangi fullback-cum-winger and his clubmate, prop George Tuala, made their Heartland Championship rugby debuts after the late withdrawals of Te Rangi Fraser (waiting on a clearance) and James MacGrougan (work commitments). Tom Teaeki shifted to fullback and Palmer wore the No.11 jersey. “They’re two young lads who stood up well,” Coast coach Ngarimu Simpkins said. “The intention was to blood them off the bench throughout the year but circumstances meant they started and they can both be pleased with their performances.” Palmer’s try was a beauty. It came from the second-half restart, with the home side trailing 14-13. Lock Ricky Waitoa fielded the ball before passing to Palmer close to the left touchline. Confronted by his opposite, Dave Thompson, Palmer stabbed the ball past the big winger than raced round him. Palmer got a kind bounce and headed for the tryline. As the first covering defender came across, Palmer chopped back infield then stepped back on the outside to beat the second would-be tackler. First five-eighth Sikeli Vorenasu converted to put the Coast in a strong position to win a game that until then had been dominated by the visitors. If home fans thought this was the signal for the Meads Cup winners to go on and cruise to victory, they were mistaken. A well-drilled Horowhenua side with a big mobile pack and hard-running backs took the game to the Coast. Second five Luke Harvey closed the gap to one point with a try after 57 minutes and replacement back Adrian Curry’s conversion gave the visitors a one-point lead. Back came the Coast and No.8 Adam Tolua reclaimed the lead in the 70th minute with a try following good work from halfback Charlie Harrison and Teaeki. Horowhenua refused to lie down and with time up, Curry had the chance to win the game when his side were awarded a penalty 45 metres out and close to the right-wing touchline. But the kick sailed past the left-hand upright. Horowhenua opened the scoring after 10 minutes with a try to centre Etuale Togia, converted by first five Perry Hayman. A pack that included former Poverty Bay player Lennon Carrington dominated the set-pieces and the Coast were forced to defend. A Vorenasu penalty reduced the deficit then the Coast hit the front when Teaeki intercepted and raced 70 metres to score under the posts. Ten minutes before the interval, Horowhenua took the lead through a try to Thompson. Hayman added the two points with a magnificent sideline conversion. Vorenasu maintained his 100 percent kicking record when he landed a long-range penalty on the stroke of halftime. “We had our chances to win but didn’t take them,” Horowhenua coach Jared Tanira said. “It’s disappointing to play so well and lose but at least we’ll go home with a point.” Simpkins was upbeat, while admitting his side did not play well. “Our set-pieces are definitely a work-on but a win is a win and we’ll take that any day over a loss,” he said. “The boys know they can play better but it was the first game of the championship and we achieved our goal . . . to win. So, no complaints from me on that score.” While Palmer and Tuala marked their debuts with a win, the real stars for the Coast were the “senior pros” — Harrison, openside flanker Brent Ingram, lock Everard Reid, centre TK Moeke and Teaeki. Harrison was superb at the back of a scrum going backwards and his cover defence was a major contribution to the win. Ingram was another who ran himself into the ground and pulled off some big tackles at vital stages. Reid caused Horowhenua problems with his running from broken play, while Teaeki was safe under the high ball and, with Moeke, looked the liveliest of the Coast backs. NGATI POROU EAST COAST 25 (Tom Teaeki, Kris Palmer, Adam Tolua tries; Sikeli Vorenasu 2 con, 2 pen). HOROWHENUA KAPITI 24 (Etuale Togia, Dave Thompson, Luke Harvey tries; Perry Hayman 2 con, Adrian Curry con, pen). HT: 14-13 (Horowhenua). Other Heartland Championship results (home teams first): Mid Canterbury 31 Poverty Bay 12, Wanganui 16 King Country 17, North Otago 18 Wairarapa Bush 20, Thames Valley 21 South Canterbury 17, West Coast 23 Buller 17.
Posted on: Tue, 27 Aug 2013 00:45:32 +0000
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