North Harbour 1st XV Report – 13 August 2016
By Trey Tupu-South of Westlake BHS
Massey devastated Rosmini’s supporters this week, during a championship semi- final of the North Harbour 1st XV competition, snatching a 13-11 lead in the dying stages of the game, thanks to the steely nerves of reserve kicker Ryan MacMillan. By attaining this win, Massey managed to secure a place in the final for the first time in five years. A massive upset over North Harbour rugby’s reigning champions.
Massey showed promising signs of victory early on, after holding up a Rosmini maul less than one minute into the match and securing their first points of the game in less than five, with halfback Miracle Naititi managing to convert a penalty opportunity from 18 metres out and in front of the posts. However, after Massey gave away a number of penalties, Rosmini found themselves on the forty metre line and kicking for the posts. Rosmini’s halfback Connor Leather stepped up and just like he has done, on so many occasions this season, and converted. After this, it seemed as though the game was set to be dominated and dictated by Leather’s boot, a common plan established by Rosmini throughout the season. The loss of lock Te Ruki Pierce Dunn soon after also threatened to limit Massey’s chances of success. However, the team only strengthened their resolve, by quickening their defensive line and preventing Rosmini from building upon their momentum. Second five Sebastian Tielu stood out in the match as a major force on defence, performing a number of powerful tackles and forcing Rosmini runners to knock the ball on a number of times. Eventually, Massey were rewarded for their efforts with a penalty, positioned twenty metres out and to the right side of the posts. Having missed a penalty kick from a similar position earlier in the game the team decided to kick for the corner. The risk was well rewarded, as Massey set up a maul five metres out from the try line and drove Rosmini over it, converted successfully by halfback Naititi. All in all Massey dominated the first half, retaining eighty percent of the possession and securing a 10-3 lead headed into the second.
As expected, Rosmini began the second half with a fierce determination to turn the momentum in their favour. After being awarded a penalty early on, Rosmini kicked the ball to the five metre line in the right hand corner and thereafter executed a mirror –image try of Massey’s in the first, although, Leather’s failure to convert saw Rosmini still trailing. Under a relentless Rosmini attack, Massey’s defence was sent scrambling for the ball and in the end they were forced to give Rosmini a penalty kick in front of the posts. Leather’s conversion witnessed Rosmini take the lead heading into the later stages of the game. Of course, Massey was intent on regaining momentum and managed to do so thanks to the fast feet and good hands of their backline, with both wingers exhibiting great speed and subsequently gaining a lot of ground. Despite being rewarded a number of penalties within range, Massey showed great determination to score a try. Although, after finding no success in attempts to penetrate Rosmini’s strong defensive line, the team finally decided to take the shot at goal. Positioned twenty metres out and to the right of the posts, reserve kicker Mac Millan showed great composure by executing the kick. Despite Rosmini’s best attempts to score, thereafter, another crunching tackle performed by Massey’s second-five Tielu, forced his opposing number to knock on the ball, ending the game, with Massey winning 13-11.
In the other championship semi-final Westlake marched on beating Whangarei 32-5. Westlake dominated the first half getting out to 17-0 but Whangarei bounced back to score a try at the beginning of the second half but couldn’t sustain the pressure and Westlake came back to score another 15 points to secure top ranking for the 2016 Canon North Harbour 1st XV final at 5.15pm on Thursday 18 August at QBE Stadium. In the Plate Semi’s, Rangitoto held out an up for it Birkenhead College side to win 24-22 and Orewa edged Takapuna 13-9 in a tight encounter. The Plate Final will be Rangitoto vs Orewa at Rangitoto at 12pm Saturday 20 August. All remaining secondary school finals will be on Saturday 27 August at North Harbour Domain.
In the 1B final games of the round, Westlake 2nd XV just beat Rosmini 2nd XV 6-0, Mahurangi put away Long Bay 43-5 and Northcote were too good for Kristin 31-10. In 1C final games of the round, Whangaparaoa beat Rangitoto 2nd XV 34-14, Kaipara had the edge on Massey 2nd XV 30-24 and Albany had the bye. In the 1B semi - finals 20 August Mahurangi will play Northcote and, Westlake 2nd XV face Rosmini 2nd XV. Long Bay will play Kristin in the 5th/6th play-off. In the 1C semi – finals, Kaipara host Rangitoto 2nd XV and, Massey 2nd XV will play Whangaparaoa.
1B Points: Mahurangi 21, Westlake 2nd XV 18, Rosmini 2nd XV 14, Northcote 13, Long Bay 5 and Kristin 1.
1C Points: Kaipara 19, Massey 2nd XV 15, Whangaparaoa 10, Rangitoto 2nd XV 5 and Albany 0.
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