Late conversion ensures Old Boys win in opening round

Will Johnston

Photo: Taranaki and New Plymouth Old Boys back Daniel Waite scored a brace in its come-from-behind win against Stratford/Eltham. Photo by: LDV Photography.

A late conversion by New Plymouth Old Boys fullback Brayton Northcott-Hill gave his team a 22-21 win against Stratford/Eltham in the opening round of the CMK premier club rugby competition.

It was the closest match of the weekend, with Tukapa, Clifton and Southern the other winners.

Down 21-15 at Vogeltown Park, Northcott-Hill, a 19-capped Taranaki back, slotted the sideline conversion after his representative team mate Daniel Waite scored right on full time.  

He had to contend with wet and blustery conditions as the weather deteriorated as the game went on.

The try came after a relentless period from NPOB while it was trailing. The home team dominated while inside the 22, especially in the forwards up against a strong Stratford/Eltham pack.

The finish of the game would have kept punters on the edge of their seats after Stratford/Eltham’s Rocky Olsen scored and converted to take the lead back before NPOB’s final heroics.

Earlier in the match, Stratford/Eltham wing Willem Ratu scored the opening two tries on his edge, with Olsen able to slot the conversions to lead 14-0 at half-time.

Olsen had a chance to extend the lead just after the break but missed a penalty kick.

Just after that, Waite scored NPOB’s first try before wing Mason Milham dotted down. Northcott-Hill had early kicking practice out wide when slotted the two conversions.

Waite looked to control the NPOB backline after coming off the bench in the second half. He used his first-class and overseas experience to his advantage.

The Stratford/Eltham penalty kick earlier proved costly before Waite’s late try.

Elsewhere, defending champions Tukapa retained the Dan O’Brien Shield after a 35-26 win against neighbours Spotswood United.

Nine tries were scored in a match which struggled to flow due to the number of penalties the teams conceded.

Tukapa shot out to 21-0 in the first 20 minutes at Sanders Park and looked strong with ball in hand.

But Spotswood United responded and would take some solace from the bonus point it earned for scoring four tries.

While it was a Tukapa side missing a number of players, individually, and occasionally collectively, Spotswood United showed some positive signs. That included new openside flanker Arese Poliko, who was among the try scorers.

Tukapa’s Lukas Halls troubled the Spotswood United defence and also scored.

Spotswood United will need to shore up its scrum, while Tukapa gained a clear edge.

Heavy rain arrived shorty before no-side was blown but was played in largely good conditions.

Last year’s runners up Clifton beat Inglewood 41-22 at TET Stadium. It led 26-10 at the break.

In the final match of the weekend, Southern earned a 26-12 win against Coastal at Hicks Park in Hawera.

Next weekend sees Spotswood United host Southern on Thursday night at Yarrow Stadium, Clifton is home to Tukapa in the repeat of last year’s final, NPOB is away to Coastal, both on Friday and Inglewood plays Stratford/Eltham in its Jubilee match in the only match on Saturday.