Match Summary - Semi-Final - COBRAS vs Waihi at Te Aroha; 13th July 2013; A 35 metre penalty by COBRAS magic 1st 5/8 Mike Smith in the 80th minute forced this first Thames Valley championship semi-final match at Te Aroha into a 20 minute overtime period after the scores were locked 16-16. The kick sailed perfectly through the centre of the northern posts to the pleasure of most the 300+ crowd. Smiths kick came after Waihi almost stole the show with a good counter-attacking movement which saw them score near the posts to take the lead 16-13 in the 78th minute. The final minutes of regulation play were a nail bitter until a scarce COBRAS penalty eventuated and Smith calmly slotted the 3 pointer to extend the game for another 20 minutes. The 20 minute extra time period started perfectly for COBRAS with a well taken try to Matt Hema after some slick hands courtesy of Smith and captain Reuben Leask. The instantaneous manner in which the COBRAS struck knocked the heart out of a tiring but valiant Waihi side. The match was all but over from that point on with no further side scoring and the COBRAS playing the final 10 minutes inside the Waihi half finishing the much stronger team. COBRAS - 21, Waihi - 16. Waihi’s crusade in 2013 ended. The first 80 minutes produced a good game of competitive hard rugby. Both teams attacked and defended strongly. The first try came in the 10th minute after a brilliant backline movement put fullback Nick Evans into space that would eventually see his flying winger Ricco De Thierry score in the left hand corner. Smith converted from wide out and COBRAs led 7-0. Three penalties inside the home sides half were easy pickings for Waihi’s Rueben Meares who duly slotted them in the 15th, 20th and 25th minutes. Smith responded in the 33rd minute and the halftime score closed at 10-9 to COBRAS. The second 40 minutes definitely had a finals rugby atmosphere with both teams throwing everything at each other. This is what knock out rugby is all about so it was impressive to see players step up. Standouts for COBRAS in the forwards were prop Jordan Dare, lock Sean Dinnington, damaging No.8 BOOF Mason and the ever present No.7 Mana Taotala. Dare’s time on the field showed his devastating power and acceleration is a force to be reckoned with when he’s on form. In the backs, halfback Bryon Simpson-Brown served Smith well and Matt Hema was destructive everytime he touched the ball. Evans at fullback was safe all day and his counter-attacking skills must have the representative selectors keen for a look. Both wingers, Kodi Ranginui and DeThierry chased and covered all day doing very little wrong. The bench is robust too! Coaches Jack Burge and Wayne Williams have experience and depth to call on and when they did, they weren’t let down. The introduction of ‘meter-eater’ Michael Kidd changed the intensity once again with his busting runs and forward momentum. Will this man ever stop playing rugby! Lets hope not! And the other two Dare brothers, Steve and Rowan, bring some real metal to the front 8 when they get the call. And young loose forward Lewis Van Dam made an impressive show with some crunching hits and ball carries. A player to watch for the future. So goes it – COBRAS take another step in the finals series with this win. Their next hike will be to Waitakaruru to take on Hauraki North in another knock out game. Good luck to all the players and management – The club and town are right behind you! COBRAS strike again!. Hiiisssssssssssssssssssssssssss
Posted on: Sat, 13 Jul 2013 07:44:16 +0000
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