Rugby: Defending champs hit stride as Stratford-Eltham pile on points

Photo: Stratford-Eltham wing Vereniki Tikoisolomone scored three tries against Inglewood. File photo by Pixl. 

Stratford-Eltham are beginning to show the form that delivered back-to-back Taranaki club rugby titles.

Coach Simon Childs credited his side’s 85-14 win over Inglewood at TET Stadium on Saturday to the work done up front, which created the platform for the backs to attack.

The defending champions have also welcomed back a number of key players in recent weeks, helping build momentum as they push back into the top half of the standings.

It had been an inconsistent campaign for Stratford-Eltham, who picked up just their fourth win of the season after opening the year with four straight losses.

With five weeks remaining before the playoffs, Childs said he was pleased with the progress but still wanted greater consistency.

“I’m happy with how we’re progressing,” Childs said.

“And looking forward to seeing where we’re at this weekend against a very strong Clifton team.”

Returning wing Willem Ratu made the most of the dominance up front, scoring four tries, while fellow winger Vereniki Tikoisolomone crossed for three.

The Taranaki representatives repeatedly cut through the Inglewood defence, with Childs praising the direct approach of his forwards.

“Really happy with the platform that the forwards laid with direct running getting over the gain line, allowing Rocky [Olsen] to control the game and letting Vereniki and Willem do their thing.”

Stratford-Eltham scored within the opening five minutes and never looked back, taking a 45-0 lead into halftime.

Midway through the second half, returning New Zealand Under-20 representative Dane Johnston scored Inglewood’s first try through classic forward play. The hosts added another on fulltime.

In the cross-city rivalry, New Plymouth Old Boys made it two wins from two against Tukapa this season with a 33-17 victory at Vogeltown Park.

With several players unavailable through injury, Tukapa struggled to match Old Boys, who scored five tries.

Jacob Hawkins crossed twice and kicked four conversions.

Old Boys also capitalised on Tukapa mistakes to keep the visitors pinned in their own half for long periods.

Tukapa capitalised on poor discipline from Old Boys late in the game, although the result had already been secured.

Clifton continued their unbeaten season with a 31-14 win over Coastal in Ōpunake.

While Clifton again proved too strong, but the 17-point margin was one of their narrowest victories of the season.

The competition leaders scored four tries to two and looked on track for another runaway result before Coastal fought back in the second half to close the gap.

In the remaining match, Southern claimed a second straight win with a 27-14 victory over United at Hicks Park.

After the scores were locked 7-7 at halftime, Southern pulled away to lead 24-7 before United scored a late consolation try.

In the women’s competition, Tukapa beat Pātea 36-30, while Stratford-Eltham defeated Inglewood 32-17.

This weekend, United host Inglewood at Stadium Taranaki, Stratford-Eltham face Clifton at Victoria Park, Tukapa host Coastal at Sanders Park and Old Boys travel to Hicks Park to take on Southern.