- By Neville Shirley
The Pakuranga United Rugby Club Premiers were back at home last Saturday to take on Waitakere.
They had the previous week off for the King’s Birthday holiday and a chance to play in front of Life members and Ambassadors who had assembled for a celebration day.
The prospect of plenty of tries if the lads played to their potential and stuck to the game plan.
Waitakere, who have been on the receiving end of a number of large scores, played the game in great spirits to their credit.
Pakuranga didn’t have it all their own way during the game with some individual errors and the players will look back at opportunities that went begging.
The inevitable scoring began in the first two minutes and this was a trend throughout the game.
When Waitakere did have the ball and looked okay, they turned the ball over and put themselves under pressure.
The Pakuranga scrum dominated throughout ensuring the pressure continued on the visitors.
The first half saw a total of seven tries scored by Moses Hafoka, Paulo Wallwork-Tuala, Gerald Van Wyk, Finbar Simpson, Jerry Samania, Sean Carter, and Paula Maama.
Every try was converted by the superb Riley Harrison to make it 49-0 at half-time.
That score could and should have been more with a few lost opportunities with individual errors or decision-making costing the team.
The second half continued in the same vein with a total of eight tries to Ezekiel Wye (two), Paula Maama, Riley Harrison, Harlyn Saunoa (two), Paulo Wallwork-Tuala and Sione Finau. Conversions were nailed by Riley Harrison (three) and Cruiz Overend (two).
The last 12 minutes was played with 14 men as the coaches decided not to replace an injured player so the team simulated playing one man short.
To their credit Pakuranga still managed to keep the score sheet clean and the game ended 99-0.
There were a couple of standout players, one of which was man-of-the-match Reynhardt Schutte,
He led the forwards with determined runs and a physical attitude which cemented his name in the game. Others of note were Moses Hafoka and Paula Maama.
This week we’re off to Waitemata, which have been a team that’s hard to beat at home and we’ll have to be on our game to continue to stay near the top of the table.
Thanks again for your support and our lads will continue to do you proud.
