Rangitoto’s No.8 and captain Reegan Pukepuke lead his team to a well-deserved win this weekend, during the ninth round of the 1st XV competition, over their hosts Takapuna Grammar. Although the wet conditions contributed to a large number of unforced fumbling errors, each team exhibited amazing resilience and ability throughout the match. In the end, Rangitoto managed to hold on for a comfortable 38-22 win.

Both teams started the game with a great level of intensity, however Rangitoto achieved early momentum with a try by Reegan Pukepuke less than ten minutes into the match. Although Rangitoto remained with the ball in hand, as the game progressed the wet conditions eventuated into a number of handling errors, with Takapuna managing to make their way into Rangitoto’s 22 for the first time. Takapuna’s No.8 Miller Hazelman exhibited an incredible set of skills not usually attributed to the No. 8 position, by successfully converting a penalty to the right and twenty metres from the posts. After this, Rangitoto raised their level of intensity and struck right back, thanks to the fast feet of No.6 Malcolm Spellman, who swerved through Takapuna’s defensive line to score. Rangitoto’s 2nd five Josh Corrigan and Centre Anton Ronald dominated most of the first half, working well together to push through the centre of the field. However, Takapuna exhibited a vigorous defensive line, keeping Rangitoto from converting many opportunities. Takapuna, on the other hand, found far greater success down the other side of the field, converting the very few times they managed to reach Rangitoto’s 22, into points. The team salvaged five points after 2nd five Jackson Tuhiwai performed an intelligent cross kick from the 22m line on the right hand side of the field across to the left hand corner. Although Rangitoto managed to loosely recover it, 1st five Jasper Edgar demonstrated adept alertness by stealing the ball and diving over the line to score. Rangitoto cemented the majorly one-sided first half with two tries of their own and headed into halftime 33-8 ahead.                    

Takapuna started the second half with greater determination after wing Adrea Tuqov caught the kick off and placed his team on the front foot. No.10 Jasper Edgar amplified his team’s intensity, swerving through Rangitoto’s defense yet again to score his second try of the match. The running strength of prop James Sesoni and No.8 Miller Hazelman also heightened in the second half, with each player powering through Rangitoto’s tiring defensive line. Unlike the first half, Takapuna struggled to convert opportunities during the second against the fierce tackling of Rangitoto locks Matiu Spooner and Josh Tanner. In one case Spooner managed to tackle and force a Rangitoto player back an incredible ten metres. Tanner highlighted his terrific performance with a try scored during the latter stages of the game. Although Takapuna managed to score one more try near the end of the match, this was not enough as Rangitoto secured a well-deserved 38-22 victory.  

In the other 1A fixtures Westlake overwhelmed Birkenhead 76-0 at home, Rosmini edged Whangarei 12-0 on a very soggy pitch up north, and Massey held out Orewa 15-6 in the big wet out west.  The top 4 are distancing themselves from the rest with just Rangitoto close enough for a shot at 4th place but must do well in the remaining fixtures to displace improving Whangarei.  The mid-week games for the second round are scheduled for this week with just Orewa hosting Westlake on Wed 29 June and the remaining fixtures (Birkenhead vs Rangitoto, Rosmini vs Massey and Whangarei vs Takapuna) deferred until 23 July during the school holidays.  And on Saturday 2 July it is Takapuna hosting Birkenhead, Rangitoto on their home track against Orewa, Massey at home to Whangarei and Westlake hosting Rosmini in the match of the round on SkyTV.

1A Points: Westlake 44, Rosmini 39, Massey 34, Whangarei 24, Rangitoto 18, Takapuna 8, Orewa 8 and Birkenhead 1.

In the 1B division, Westlake 2nd XV defeated Long Bay 1st XV 20-3, Mahurangi 1st XV put away Northcote 1st XV 29-17 and Rosmini 2nd XV beat Kristin 1st XV 15-8.  In the 1C grade,  Kaipara 1st XV edged Rangitoto 2nd XV 15-12, Massey 2nd XV dominated Albany 1st XV 45-7 and Whangaparaoa 1st XV had the bye.

1C Points: Massey 2nd XV 5, Kaipara 1st XV 4, Rangitoto 2nd XV 1, Albany 1st XV 0 and Whangaparaoa 1st XV 0.

 

Takapuna Fbk Adrea Toqovu  takes on Rangitoto wing Juan Galvin