Rugby: First draw of the season in premier rugby

File photo by Scott Siffleet Photography.

Two tries by Tukapa fullback Zebby Uini-Faiva wasn’t enough for his side to pip Southern in Taranaki premier club rugby at Sanders Park on Saturday.

Instead, the match ended in a 24-all draw, which was the first in the competition this season, and was probably a fair result because of the number of turnovers in the game.

The result may have surprised punters because of Southern’s 35-0 loss to United last weekend and having so many players unavailable.

But they fronted and put on a brave performance against a Tukapa side, which also featured a number of players playing out of position.

Because of the result, Tukapa are in fourth place, while Southern leaped into seventh place because of Inglewood’s loss to Stratford-Eltham.

Originally from Auckland, Uini-Faiva scored both of his tries in the second half after the scores were locked up at 5-all at the break.

Both teams couldn’t fire in the first half with possession changing hands on many occasions.

The second half opened up and Tukapa raced out to a 24-10 lead with 20 minutes to play.

Loose handling and several breaks down field kept Southern in the hunt and after a last gasp near Tukapa’s 22-meter line but forced an error because of the covering defence when time was up.

In Rahotu, Coastal’s speed down the sideline was the difference their 31-17 win over New Plymouth Old Boys.

Heading into the game, both teams were locked on 16 points and because of the win, Coastal now sits in second place behind defending champions Stratford-Eltham.

It appeared Coastal had the edge throughout the match and the pressure forced Old Boys to make mistakes at key times.

Coastal had a good foundation in the forwards to launch from and wings Kusi Drauna and David Stark both scoring.

They were ahead 31-10 at one stage during the second half before Old Boys scored later in the match to narrow the margin.

United’s win last weekend was short-lived as the New Plymouth side lost to Clifton 29-19 at Stadium Taranaki.

Clifton scored five tries to three and had the advantage in the match.

There were continuing positive signs of improvement from United and were bolstered by Arese Poliko and AJ Lemalu, who came off the bench.

In the remaining match of the weekend, Stratford-Eltham prop Trent Rowlands scored a double in his side’s 31-15 win against Inglewood at Victoria Park.

The home team were in the lead for the entire match.

Despite it being tight, Stratford-Eltham used their awareness to muscle through Inglewood’s defence in the last 20 minutes to push the score out.

Inglewood had the final say with a runaway try to Jayden Anaha at the end of the match.

Next weekend sees, Inglewood host United at TET Stadium, Old Boys play cross-city rivals Tukapa at Vogeltown Park, Coastal is home to Stratford-Eltham and Southern travel north to Clifton.

The points table after nine rounds is; Stratford-Eltham 23, Coastal 21, Clifton 20, Tukapa 18, Old Boys 16, United 8, Southern 7, Inglewood 5.