- By Grant Henson
Coming off their first loss of the season and travelling away against Eden, the Pakuranga United Rugby Club Premiers were expecting a tough encounter last weekend.
They started well with an early exchange into the Eden red zone after some welcomed physicality from Pasqualle Dunne.
An error let Eden off the hook early and a big clearing kick by the home side showed ‘Ranga what was to come if they didn’t control the football.
Eden kicked a penalty to make it 3–0 before ‘Ranga came back hard.
Strong forwards play with a good maul off a shortened lineout led into Eden’s 30m zone.
Constant pressure and large phases with good ball control and great ruck work saw an amazing try to George Sims. A missed conversion and the score was 5–3 Pakuranga.
Eden entered the Pakuranga 30-metre zone and a penalty was given for offside play.
Eden converted to make it 6–5. Two minutes later Pakuranga were awarded a scrum penalty in a kickable position.
Michiale van Wyk converted to make the score 8–6 at halftime.
Another attack from the backs had Ezekiel Wye pop up on off his left wing to receive an inside pass to score a great try. Van Wyk converted to make it 15–6.
Eden kicked the ball to five metres out and the ensuing lineout had them over for a try, which was converted to make it 15–13 in Pakuranga’s favour.
Eden then infringed 40 metres out and directly in front. Van Wyk stepped up to have a shot but the ball drifted so the score stayed 15–13.
Eden converted a penalty to make it 16–15 but Pakuranga didn’t panic.
The insertion of Gafatasi Su’s at hooker for Lotu Finau all game was timely.
Combined with loosehead Oscar Cowley-Andreas and Jerry Samania the ‘Ranga scrum became lethal.
Phases built from a lineout in Eden territory and Sean Carter crashed over for what some saw as a controversial try. Sims stepped up to convert it to make it 22–16.
Randall Baker came on late and decimated the Eden lineout stealing ball at will.
Pakuranga finished the game with an opportunity to go for a maul to secure a bonus point or take a shot at goal. Sione Takai rightly chose the latter option.
The final score was 22–16 to Pakuranga. It was a much-needed victory after their first loss of the season the week before.
Senior rugby takes a break this weekend to celebrate King’s Birthday.
Everyone’s welcome along on June 8 to support the boys versus Waitakere where they hope to secure their position in the top two of the competition.
