Rugby: Northcott-Hill magic pips Stratford-Eltham

An individual piece of brilliance by utility back Brayton Northcott-Hill ensured New Plymouth Old Boys pipped defending champions Stratford-Eltham in Taranaki premier club rugby on Saturday.

With the scores locked up at 29-all, Northcott-Hill, who had recently returned from a shoulder injury, scored in the corner at Victoria Park to claim a 36-29 victory.

The result snapped a six-match winning streak for Stratford-Eltham but remained at the top of the table.

Northcott-Hill’s try came after Stratford-Eltham kicked the ball down field into a stiff southerly. The Taranaki rep received a pass from a team-mate on the left wing, ran around two defenders to score in the corner.

Old Boys first five Jack Parker slotted the conversion from wide out to make it harder for Stratford-Eltham to come back into the wind with only five minutes remaining.

Earlier in the match, playing with the wind at their backs, Stratford-Eltham led 24-12 at the break.

It was a tit-for-tat second half as Old Boys continued to put pressure on the Stratford-Eltham defence, which was ultimately the difference in the match.

Stratford-Eltham had a chance at the end of the match to draw level, but a penalty kick did not find touch.

Despite the loss, Stratford-Eltham prop Daniel Bishop played in his 200^th match for the club.

He made his debut in 2008 and played 60 minutes on Saturday.  

A double to Tukapa hooker Liam Bernet helped Tukapa beat Clifton 31-25 at Tikorangi.

Despite the win, Tukapa continue to languish outside the top four with three weeks remaining in the competition because of the other round’s results.

Clifton led 17-7 at halftime, but Tukapa came back in the second spell to eventually take the lead.

The home team managed to get in front again until Bernet scored his second try effectively untouched.

Clifton reserve back Kobi Heurea also scored two tries.

Coastal bounced back from last week’s loss to Stratford-Eltham to beat United 54-31 at Stadium Taranaki.

Ben Dufficy, who will make his debut for Taranaki in the Ranfurly Shield match on Wednesday, scored two tries.

In a tight first half, it was United who racked up a 26-19 lead at the break despite Coastal having a clear advantage in the forwards.

United’s lead continued until about 15 minutes to go when Coastal scored four consecutive tries as the home team slipped off tackles or made mistakes.

In the remaining match, Southern picked up their first win since the opening round of the competition when they beat Inglewood 35-10 at Hicks Park.

Southern scored five tries to two, including a brace to fullback Deegyn Eades.

Southern and former Irish prop Michael Bent played in his 150^th match for the club.

This weekend, Tukapa host Stratford-Eltham at Sanders Park, Inglewood is home to Clifton at TET Stadium, Southern travel to Rahotu to play Coastal and Old Boys host United at Vogeltown Park.

After 11 weeks, the table is; Stratford-Eltham 29, Clifton 27, Coastal 27, Old Boys 26, Tukapa 24, United 14, Southern 13, Inglewood 6.