Rugby: Defending champs upset competition leaders

Photo: Clifton move to the top of the table after five rounds of Taranaki premier rugby. Photo by Shelley Tate.

Defending champions Stratford-Eltham have spoilt Tukapa’s early unbeaten record in Taranaki premier rugby on Friday.

Stratford-Eltham’s 37-19 win at Victoria Park ruined a four-match winning streak and other results meant Tukapa slipped down to third place on the competition ladder, indicating how tight the top half of the competition is.

Clifton stormed to first place after a 44-22 win over Inglewood and Coastal continued to advance up the table to move into second place with a 28-20 victory against Southern, despite Tukapa having a better win-loss record in comparison.

Stratford-Eltham’s win snapped a two-match losing streak and remain in fourth place.

The home team were under early pressure from Tukapa but both teams scored two tries in the first half for the scores to be locked up 12-all.

Their defence was resolute after the break, despite letting lock Josh Keech run away for Tukapa’s only try in the second half.

The momentum swung towards Stratford-Eltham as they scored five tries in total, including two to fullback Brendan Coupe.

Their support play was evident in the lead up to the tries along with speed out wide, which is becoming a strength in Stratford-Eltham’s game.

Inglewood’s lapses of concentration just after halftime was the difference in their loss to Clifton.

Clifton led 13-10 at the break and scored four back-to-back tries in quick succession as they used the ball freely and spotted holes in the defence.  

Suddenly, the lead was 37-10 and the game was effectively Clifton’s.

Captain Sage Walters-Hansen scored two tries for Clifton and Inglewood’s Cody Chilcott slotted three conversions from as many attempts.

In Hāwera, it was a tit-for-tat between Southern and Coastal.

A 22-17 scoreline at halftime indicated the match’s closeness.

Southern only managed a penalty in the second half despite having most of the ball inside Coastal’s half.

Southern’s scrum continued to dominate most team’s this year, however, the defence from Coastal was impressive and did not allow the home team to break through.

In the remaining match, New Plymouth Old Boys’ first five Jack Parker scored a hat trick of tries in his team’s 47-29 win against United at Stadium Taranaki.  

The Buller Heartland representative was already the leading points scorer of the competition with 47 points and will continue that record heading into next week.

There were positive signs of improvement by United and led 22-21 at halftime.

But Old Boys managed to capitalise on their mistakes and used their strong forward play to their advantage.

AJ Lemalu was impressive for United, while Old Boys forward pack stood out.

In round six next week, Coastal is home to Clifton in the top of the table clash, Tukapa hosts Inglewood, Old Boys play Southern at Vogeltown Park and United travel to Stratford-Eltham.

The points table after five rounds is: Clifton 18, Coastal 17, Tukapa 17, Stratford-Eltham 16, NPOB 15, Inglewood 9, Southern 6, United 6.