North Harbour 1st XV Report – 18 and 20 August 2016

By Trey Tupu-South of Westlake BHS

The Inisi brothers well and truly stole the show this week as Westlake took on Massey for the 1^st XV North Harbour Championship at North Harbour stadium. Although Massey obtained a lot of noticeable confidence and belief at the start of the game, drawn from beating Rosmini the previous week, by half time the game was all but over with Westlake ahead 24-3. In the end, Westlake stretched their lead to an overwhelming 34-3 win.

The perfect pitch and conditions foresaw the great running game, which both teams established early on. However, the initial upper hand was gained by Massey, which had faster pace and a stronger backline. Fullback Mackenave Pisi threatened to dominate the game after breaking the line a number of times and setting up a potential try for hooker Christian Lemalu under the posts, one disallowed by the TMO. Fine Inisi’s superior speed saw Westlake take the early lead, after the second five out-ran the opposing team as only he could to collect a punt by right winger Spencer McDowall, scoring in the right hand corner. Despite this, Massey maintained dominance and after lock Sone Teo gave a great backdoor pass to blindside flanker Christian Lio-Willie, Massey were certain that they had scored through the hands of their captain. However, Massey was starved of another try as the TMO disallowed this second effort within just two minutes of the first. The TMO was kept busy throughout the game. Nevertheless, Massey halfback Miracle Naititi managed to salvage some points by converting a penalty kick positioned twenty metres out and in front of the posts. These were the last points for Massey and from this point forward in the match the Inisi brothers took over. QBE Player of the match, Fine Inisi scored his second try and then sealed his hat-trick within the first 26 minutes. The second five showcased amazing speed and incredible instinctiveness by supporting his teammates and swerving through Massey’s backline. His brother Lotu capitalized upon Westlake’s great half with a try of his own. Taking a ball off a rolling maul from 5 metres out, he stormed over the try line. Thanks to the incredible strength, speed and scoring ability of the Inisi brothers Westlake entered halftime with a comfortable 24-3 lead.

Westlake’s usual starters reserved for this game, halfback Casey Smith and blindside flanker Arno Mouton, made a major impact in the second half and eliminated any idea of a Massey comeback. However, it was Lotu Inisi who dominated the half. Inisi demonstrated a unique range of skills by grubbing the ball on the run and setting up Smith in the left hand corner. His powerful running remained a pivotal part of Westlake’s game throughout the second half. Despite Massey spending a large amount of time in Westlake’s 22 for the latter part of the half, Westlake’s strong defensive line and Jack Heighton’s great kicking ability ensured that they never saw the line. Arikitoia Hood-Kaitapu put forward an impressive running performance in the second half, establishing a signature ability to slip out of tackles and through Massey’s defensive line. Despite Westlake’s domination of the game, Massey demonstrated great sportsmanship by fighting till the end, even after the final hooter, though to no avail as Westlake secured the 34-3 win and the schools 13^thchampionship in the 26 years since the competition’s commencement.

In the 1A Plate final Rangitoto defeated Orewa 31-17 at home to lock in 5^th place for 2016. In the 1B championship semi-finals Mahurangi defeated Northcote in a close encounter 19-15 and likewise Westlake 2^nd beat Rosmini 2^nd XV 23-12. Long Bay won by default over an injury depleted Kristin. 1B final will be Mahurangi 1^st XV vs Westlake 2^nd XV. 1C semi-finals Massey 2^nd XV overwhelmed Whangaparaoa 1^st XV 62-7 and Kaipara 1^st XV put away Rangitoto 2^nd XV 45-19. The 1C final will be Massey 2^nd XV vs Kaipara 1^st XV.