Rugby: Taranaki speedster makes impact in club rugby

Will Johnston

Photo: Vereniki Tikoisolomone, seen here playing for Whanganui, scored two tries for Stratford-Eltham. 

Taranaki winger Vereniki Tikoisolomone helped get Stratford-Eltham’s season back on track in week two of the CMK premier club rugby competition on Saturday.  

Playing in his debut match for the club, the 25-year-old played a key part in the team’s 25-14 win against Southern at Hicks Park.

While being named in Stratford-Eltham’s squad in the last two seasons, Tikoisolomone has missed the club window because of Highlanders commitments in 2022 and he was playing for the Houston SaberCats in the MRL competition last year.

His breakthrough season was in 2021 and was remembered for scoring a runaway try against Hawke’s Bay at Pukekura Park, one of nine tries so far for Taranaki. He was plucked out of Whanganui’s Heartland team by coach Neil Barnes.

Tikoisolomone scored a brace in Hawera thanks to his excellent finishing ability where his speed was too difficult for Southern to handle.  

Stratford-Eltham’s performance was much more clinical compared to last week’s loss to Old Boys.

They were also helped by Taranaki halfback Adam Lennox, who scored a try and showed his skill and speed around the rucks.

Veteran prop Daniel Bishop also scored for the visitors, while Rocky Olsen kicked a penalty and conversion.

Southern scored two converted tries.

New Plymouth Old Boys has continued their recent form against cross-city rivals Tukapa with a 13-3 win at Vogeltown Park.

The win is their third consecutive to hold onto the Ibbotson Cup for another round.

But it wasn’t pretty viewing for the hearty spectators who braved the wet conditions.

After Old Boys scored two first half tries to Jekope Kitou and Brayton Northcott-Hill and a penalty to Tukapa’s Waata Wharawhare the score didn’t change in the second spell.

Old Boys, playing in a commemorative jersey to celebrate 1994 season, was guilty of mistakes as much as Tukapa.

Jack Parker could have altered the score for the home team in the second spell, but a penalty just on the angle was pushed away from the posts.

The second installment of the rivalry will be played on June 8 at Sanders Park.

Inglewood is two from two in the competition with a 27-10 win against Clifton at TET Stadium.

Inglewood was strengthened by the return of Chiefs rookie Josh Jacomb, All Black sevens rep Rhodes Featherstone and Taranaki hooker Mills Sanerivi.

Inglewood got their worth from the trio. Sanerivi scored the first try, Featherstone carried hard and made many tackles while Jacomb controlled play well from second-five eighth.

Clifton scored on either side of the break to narrow the margin to 13-10 after 60 minutes.  

Inglewood took control of the match, scoring two second half tries, including one to Featherstone.  

Coastal moves into first place after beating Spotswood United 43-7 at Rahotu.

In warm and dry conditions, Coastal used their threat out wide with Kusi Drauna making several breaks down field.

After two weeks, the points are; Coastal 10, NPOB 8, Inglewood 8, Stratford-Eltham 8, Southern 4, Spotswood United 1, Tukapa 0, Clifton 0.