Rugby: Stratford-Eltham and Tukapa unbeaten after week two

Photo by Scott Siffleet. 

Defending champions Stratford-Eltham and Tukapa are the only unbeaten teams after two weeks of the CMK premier club rugby competition.

Stratford-Eltham claimed a 42-12 win against neighbours Inglewood at TET Stadium, while Tukapa pipped Southern 18-14 at Hicks Park.

While both teams are two from two, Stratford-Eltham have an edge on the competition standings one point ahead of Tukapa because of having an extra bonus point.

At the other end of the table Coastal and United remain winless after two weeks.

At TET Stadium, Stratford-Eltham’s Blake Christie had an unblemished record off the tee as he kicked six conversions from as many tries and dotted down himself.

The visitors looked in control of the entire match with their speed out wide thanks to Taranaki reps Vereniki Tikoisolomone and Willem Ratu excellent on the edges with the latter opening the scoring.

Stratford-Eltham led 21-6 at the break.

Inglewood’s only try came from quick thinking by wing and former Whanganui Collegiate player Will Johnston, who sliced through a gap during the second spell.

Jack Higgie kicked a conversion and two penalties in the effort for Inglewood.

Tukapa’s first half tries were scored against the run of play after Southern made crucial errors when they were hard on attack.

The tries gave Tukapa momentum in the match despite Southern played with a stiff breeze at their backs in the opening 40 minutes. Neither team played with the wind to their liking.

Tukapa’s first try was set up by eventual scorer Larenz Tupaea-Thomsen who picked up loose ball. But it was wing Waata Wharawhara who stepped around Southern’s defence and offloaded to the big midfielder to score.

The second try to Zebby Uini-Faiva was in scored in similar fashion as the winger was too quick for Southern.

Southern’s Jade Taylor scored two tries but the difference in the match was the kicking with Juan Tantrum missing an early attempt, while Brent Aston-Landers kicked two conversions.

They were also denied opportunities because Tukapa’s defence was impressive deep in their own half.

New Plymouth Old Boys survived a late onslaught from Coastal to win 37-34 at Vogeltown Park.

The home team had got out to a healthy 29-12 lead in the second half, but Coastal stormed their way back only to fall short.

In an entertaining match, Old Boys scored six tries to five, including two to Coastal’s Te Ariki Peipi scored two tries for the visitors.

Coastal looked much superior in the last 20 minutes but ran out of time to pick up their first win of the season.

In the remaining match, Clifton ran in eight tries to three to roll United 58-28 at Tikorangi.

Clifton halfback Topia Barrowcliffe and captain Sage Walters-Hansen scored twice, while the rest were shared around.

United and Taranaki rep AJ Lemalu was excellent for the side and also scored two tries.

Next week sees Tukapa host cross-city rivals Old Boys at Sanders Park, Southern plans Clifton in Hawera, Stratford-Eltham are home to Coastal and United host Inglewood at Stadium Taranaki.

After two weeks, the points table is; Stratford-Eltham 9, Tukapa 8, Southern 6, Clifton 6, NPOB 5, Inglewood 4, Coastal 3, United 0.