Defending North Harbour Champions Rosmini College hosted Whangarei Boys High in very good conditions in the second round of the 1st XV 1A competition. The two sides met in the 2015 Blues regional play-offs last August and Whangarei came out on top in a close encounter but the well-drilled Rosmini side put together a comfortable 27-12 win over the visitors.
From the kick-off Rosmini fielded the ball and worked their way into the Whangarei 22, earning a penalty from a ruck infringement which was not converted. Rosmini stayed camped in the opposition half but Whangarei defended well and from a penalty kicked to half-way. Rosmini took the lineout and charged back on attack, after several well managed rucks, sent the ball wide to winger Joe Taylor to score in the corner and the conversion was kicked from wide out by half-back Connor Leather to take the score to 7-0 after 10 minutes. Rosmini surged back on attack but were held out. Both sides exchanged further penalties and Whangarei got into the opposition half but turned over the ball and Rosmini first-five Jacob Ridling cleared to the Whangarei 5 metre line. Whangarei won the lineout, kicked clear but back came the Rosmini pack and after several phases closed to the try-line, quickly passed the ball wide to the centre Julian Vea to touch down for an unconverted try 12-0 after 22 minutes. Whangarei went on attack but turned the ball over and again Ridling kicked clear to halfway. Whangarei secured the lineout ball and battled into the Rosmini 22 to gain a penalty on the 5 metre line. A quick tap and go by the hard-working Whangarei first five Scott Gregory stood in the tackle and fed the ball to a charging open side flanker Mitchell Reader who crossed the line for a try converted by full back Jayden Leupepe in the 28th minute. Rosmini again rumbled back into Whangarei territory and from a lineout sent the ball quickly wide again to stretch the defence and over went fullback Zakk Finlay to take the score to 17-7 at half-time.
Rosmini defended from the kick-off and Whangarei kept them in their half for some time but turn-overs and knock-ons allowed Rosmini to clear the ball to touch. A penalty was awarded to Rosmini from a ruck infringement after 40 minutes and Leather found form again and kicked well to take the score to 20-7. The Whangarei side went on the offensive and controlled the ball well through several phases surging into the Rosmini 22 for lock Sam Marsh to score an unconverted try – 20-12 at the 50 minute mark. The well-drilled Rosmini pack again gained territory and after several phases a jubilant hooker, David Meki crossed for a popular try, converted by Leather to close out the final score line of 27-12 after 55 minutes. For the final 15 minutes both sides continued to attack and defend well but numerous turn-overs and a loss of structure did not change the score despite both sides getting close.
Rosmini were well drilled, maintained possession, defended well and controlled the game to carry the day however the Whangarei side never gave up but suffered from too many turn-overs to maintain continuity. Whangarei will be looking to turn the tables in the second round up on home turf.
In the other fixtures Westlake thumped Birkenhead 79-3, Massey put away Orewa 52-14 and Rangitoto had a comfortable 30-5 win over Takapuna. There is a mid-week round this week on Wednesday 18 May with one fixture already played in the school holidays with Whangarei winning 33-13 over Takapuna, the Massey vs Rosmini fixture is deferred to 15 June and just Westlake vs Orewa and Rangitoto vs Birkenhead will play 18 May, with a quick turnaround for the Saturday 21 May fixtures.
1A points are: 1A points are: Westlake 10, Massey 10, Rosmini 10, Whangarei 9, Rangitoto 5, Orewa 1, Takapuna and Birkenhead 0.
In the Open B first round in Pool White – Northcote 1st XV edged Kaipara 1st XV 17-15, Long Bay 1st XV put away Albany 1st XV 37-7 and Rosmini 2nd XV defeated Rangitoto 2nd XV 20-3. In the Cardinal Pool, Massey 2nd XV defeated Glenfield 1st XV 49-8, Westlake 2nd XV beat Kristin 1st XV 24-13 and Mahurangi 1st XV accounted for Whangaparaoa 1st XV 43-10.
Pic by Jack Hall
Whangarei ctr Tanekaha Ngaropo tackles Rosmini Hkr David Meki
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