Predictable semi-final results in premier rugby

Will Johnston

Photo: New Plymouth Old Boys hooker JJ Pokai runs the ball up towards Clifton's Api Dawai in the semi-final at Vogeltown Park. Photo by LDV Photography.

The two form teams from the season will meet in the CMK premier club rugby grand final at Yarrow Stadium on Saturday.

Unbeaten New Plymouth Old Boys will play second seeds Stratford-Eltham after both teams cruised through their respective semi-finals on Saturday.

It will be OId Boys’ first finals appearance since 2018 when they beat Coastal 29-9 at TET Stadium and the joint-club’s first outing in a premier final. As separate clubs, Stratford or Eltham haven’t played Old Boys in a final since the current format started in 1983.   

Saturday’s results were also similar as Old Boys beat Clifton 39-7 and Stratford-Eltham won 36-7 both in front of strong crowds.

At Vogeltown Park, light rain set in just after kick-off which made conditions slippery on a field that had been deteriorating for the last few weeks.

Old Boys were under early pressure from Clifton when the visitors were penetrating inside their half for the opening 10 minutes, despite first-five eighth Matty James missing an early penalty attempt.

But once Old Boys found their rhythm, they were hard to stop like they have been all season.

Their defence was excellent and even contained Chiefs midfielder Daniel Rona and Hurricanes wing Kini Naholo, who both started.

An early Brayton Northcott-Hill penalty opened the account which followed a long build up from the home team. Mason Milham finished up scoring on his wing, with Northcott-Hill adding the sideline conversion to give Old Boys confidence heading into the remainder of the first half.

Northcott-Hill scored and added another conversion just before the break to give Old Boys a 17-0 lead.

Immediately after halftime, Clifton was on the board. Patience was rewarded after plugging away at the Old Boys defence. Hooker Kimo Faogali picked up a loose ball from the base of a ruck and snuck around the short side to score.

James kicked the conversion, in what were Clifton’s only points of the game.

Old Boys started to take control of the match with three second half tries. The first from veteran Cody Rei, while the forwards were involved as the rain set in with two pick-and-go tries.

At Victoria Park, Stratford-Eltham looked in control for the entire match.

Elusive wing Eseroma Nabuka started the game strongly with back-to-back tries down his wing. Only one try was converted by Rocky Olsen, but it gave the home team a head start they were after when Southern were on the back foot defensively.

Stratford-Eltham continued to pile the pressure on attack. That let prop Jordan McFarlane in along with a runaway try to Olsen before halftime.

Southern were on the board before the break when they enjoyed possession inside Stratford-Eltham’s half, a rarity in the match.

Taranaki midfielder Meihana Grindlay busted through with Brent Landers able to kick the conversion.

Olsen slotted a penalty after the break, while Jordan Masters toed a loose ball through to score under the posts. By this time, the game was over and Stratford-Eltham enjoyed some time on defence but managed to slow play down well enough so Southern couldn’t capitalise.

In other grades, Old Boys and Southern will compete for the division one title, Kaitake will play Patea in the division two finale and Inglewood are the top seeds in the colts final against Stratford-Eltham.