Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau will lift the Paul Mitchell Cup as unbeaten Tasman Tanning Premier point’s table leaders after the first round of games, but they were made to work for it in their 32-24 win in the Pa on Saturday.

The away matchup with Tāmata Hauhā Rātana, which was also for the Barracks Challenge Shield, was keenly anticipated given the array of talent in both backlines, plus the fact Rātana had beaten Kaierau in the Pa last season, 27-12.

The home side attacked early, missing a try in the corner and then a penalty, while Kaierau advanced into their territory for first-five Sheldon Pakinga to pop over a penalty in front.

But the visitors went to sleep on the restart as Rātana winger Taylor Kirkwood, a former Kaierau man, dashed through to claim the ball and score.

Kaierau replied through steady phase work in the pack, as finally former representative prop Faafetai Siona Pulemagafa was pushed over in handy conversion for Pakinga.

An attacking chip kick by Kaierau winger Adrian Toia was kept on the toe by the chasers and Mairangi Tamehana, the flanker turned halfback once again, won the foot race to make it 17-5 in the first quarter.

A quick tap by second-five Ezra Malo committed offside defenders to stopping him, and another penalty in front was simple for Pakinga.

But Kaierau weren’t immune to infringement and a succession of penalties gave Rātana the chance to show what their backline can do – spreading both sides of the field with fullback Rangi Kui coming in to fire a long pass to unmarked winger Hawira Gardiner for 20-10.

Another Rātana attacking grubber kick came just unstuck in the corner, but Kaierau lost lock Mason Johnson to the sinbin, and the home side ran back a clearing kick with great hands amongst the backs again for centre Cody Hemi to score under the posts, with second-five Brooklyn Herewini finally adding a kick to close the gap to three points at halftime.

Despite having one less forward, Kaierau’s pack attacked after the break, being held up on the line, and although Rātana cleared the ball, they couldn’t stop centre Ethan Robinson slicing through to dash under the posts for seven more points.

Rātana then poured on the pressure, with first-five Te Atawhai Mason looking dangerous with ball in hand and on the boot, and despite Kaierau winning back possession a turnover penalty came and the home side continued to back their offloads and speed - with Hemi barging over in the corner for a double as Kui took back the kicking duties and slotted the extras from touch.

Game on at 27-24, Kaierau now went on the offence, ending up with four consecutive 5m attacking scrums, and finally a beautiful Robinson flick pass found Pakinga backing up to step through and score what proved the match-winner, as he finished with a 17-point haul.

While it was Kaierau’s big day in Premier, Whanganui Marist RFC had a lot to celebrate with a clean-sweep weekend for all four of their teams.

In Tasman Tanning Senior, Forest 360 Marist Knights continued their march on top of the table with a big 65-14 away win over Bennett’s Taihape, while at City College, Direct Connect Marist Celtic were able to move into the Top 4 courtesy of a tough 31-13 win over Border.

The Whanganui Challenge Shield remains with McCrea Scanning Counties after their 31-10 victory over Seales Winslow Pirates at Spriggens Park, while McCarthy’s Transport Ruapehu maintained their unbeaten run after a Friday night win over Kelso Hunterville, 28-5 at the neutral ground of Memorial Park.

Defending champions Utiku Old Boys continued to lift from their slow start to register a 49-8 home win over Gemini Pepper Construction Kaierau.

Results, May 9th-10th 

Tasman Tanning Premier 

Barracks Challenge Shield - Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau 32 (Faafetai Siona Pulemagafa, Mairangi Tamehana, Ethan Robinson, Sheldon Pakinga tries; Pakinga 2 pen, 3 con) bt Tāmata Hauhā Rātana 24 (Cody Hemi 2, Taylor Kirkwood, Hawira Gardiner tries; Brooklyn Herewini con, Rangi Kui con). HT: 20-17.

Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist 26 (Clive Stowers, Rongomai Mclean-Wanoa tries; Wiremu Morgan 2 pen, 2 con, Daniel Kauika 2 pen) bt Waverley Harvesting Border 24 (Silio Waqalevu, Tyrone Albert, Romu Senileb, Hayden Watling tries; Albert 2 con). HT: 20-5.

Tasman Tanning Senior

Spriggens Park – Whanganui Challenge Shield: McCrea Scanning Counties bt Seales Winslow Pirates 31-10.

Memorial Park: Forest 360 Marist Knights bt Bennett’s Taihape 65-14.

Memorial Park: Utiku Old Boys bt Gemini Pepper Construction Kaierau 49-8.

City College: Direct Connect Marist Celtic bt Border 31-13.

Memorial Park: McCarthy’s Transport Ruapehu bt Kelso Hunterville 28-5.

Tasman Tanning Women

Cooks Gardens: AGC Training Marist Clovers bt Silks Audit Ratana 71-17.

Marton Park: Heidi Macaulay Realty Bulls bt Marton Queenbeez 81-5.

Hunterville: Byfords Construction Taihape bt Hunterville by default.
 

By Jared Smith