Wednesday, 28 July 2010
A DERBY clash between two Eastern Bay sides sets the scene for a tantalising Baywide second division semifinal on Saturday.
Poroporo will host Kawerau at Poroporo Park after both teams posted victories on Saturday. Poroporo had a nail-biting 15-12 victory over Judea while Kawerau had an impressive 24-14 away win over Eastern Pirates.
The winner of Saturday’s semi will go on to Baywide finals day on August 7. The winner of the division two final will earn a place in the Baywide first division next season.
Poroporo and Kawerau have met twice this season with a win each – both times the away team were the victors, the second match was Poroporo’s only loss of the season.
Poroporo booked their place in the semifinal after an edgy win over Judea at Poroporo Park.
In front of a lively home crowd, they were under the pump early with Judea hammering away at the line. But the home team’s defence held firm and they were able to make a couple of incursions into Judea territory.
But as the game neared the quarter hour, Poroporo’s tackling became less accurate and they paid the price when Judea were able to score after good retention.
The try served as a wake up call and the home team made their best use of the ball with some burly mauling play into the Judea 22. From there they ranged wide and first-five Chris Kilgarriff was unlucky to be bundled to touch in the corner.
But Poroporo’s momentum was halted when Judea scored their second try after a meticulous surge up-field.
With a 12-0 lead the visitors looked as though they might play party-pooper, but after a tighthead from a Judea scrum Poroporo winger Jesse Clay scored on the back of a six-phase build-up and the try was converted.
Poroporo trailed 12-7 at the break but ended the half the better side.
Poroporo continued their work after the break and looked ambitious with ball in hand. They denied Judea any front foot ball as the pack started to work over the visitors. However Poroporo were unable to get points for all their territory. The game stagnated as both sides looked for field position and momentum swung between the two as the clock hit 60 minutes.
The defining moment came when Poroporo retained possession well and Rob Tai finished the move in the corner.
The wide conversion attempt missed and the scores were locked at 12-all.
After the try was scored, Judea made wholesale changes in their pack in a bid to stop Poroporo, but it didn’t have an immediate impact.
Edward Maui provided the home team heroics with a 30-metre penalty that gave his team the lead. Poroporo hung on at the end, braving a storm of Judea attacks.
For Poroporo, Kilgarrif had a sound game at first five, while Graeme Whiri-Tai made a good impact of the bench on the right wing.
Kawerau’s victory came on the back of a dominant first-half performance where they led the home team 20-0 at the break. Kawerau coach Roger Coffin said it was a great result for the team
“We actually didn’t have a great build up during the week, but we had a brilliant first half on Saturday. Pirates came back very well, so we had to slog it out in the end. We just had enough to hold on.
“We will be looking to start strong again this weekend, but we need to play the full eighty,” he said.
It has been a great turnaround for the Kawerau club after a tough 2009 season.
“We have a lot of young guys that have developed in the club. But the senior guys have really put their hands up this year.
“Our coaching staff have also done a terrific job.”