CLUB RUGBY:

A hat trick of tries from Coastal loose forward Tevita Fa’ukafa has helped his side move back to the top of the CMK premier club rugby competition after beating Southern in Rahotu on Saturday. 

The 24-13 win ensured Coastal surpassed Tukapa who were leading the competition after last weekend.

Fa’ukafa, who joined the Taranaki Academy last year from Hamilton Boys High School, scored his first two tries in similar fashion.

The wet weather appeared to have suited Coastal’s pick and go game plan that was used close to the line and allowed Fa’ukafa to score in either half.

His third try was scored after his side pulled together several phases with the ranging loose forward receiving a pass that put him into space to run 30 meters to score under the posts.

Southern scored two unconverted tries in the first half to trail 17-10 at the break and added a penalty kick in the second spell.

Spotswood United first five-eighth Josh Jacomb slotted a late penalty kick to secure a vital 17-15 win over Tukapa at Sanders Park.

The win is the second against Tukapa this year and move up to third on the table.

There didn’t appear to be much difference between the sides as the score was tight throughout the match. It was 7-all at the break, before Tukapa got out to a 15-14 lead with 20 minutes remaining.

Jacomb had a strong wind behind him to kick the 40 metre penalty when time was up.

Tukapa remain in second place, despite the loss.

New Plymouth Old Boys also move up the competition standings after beating Clifton 33-20 at Vogeltown Park.

The win is the defending champion’s fifth of the year and first against Clifton after losing to the side in the first round.

Old Boys had the dominance in the match leading 21-6 at halftime scoring three converted tries.

Clifton bounced back in the last 20 minutes scoring two tries, including a break away from loose forward Cole Blyde, before no side was blown.  

In the final match of the weekend, Inglewood beat neighbours Stratford/Eltham 34-0 at Victoria Park.

Inglewood scored six tries in the match to move into sixth place on the ladder.

After ten weeks, Coastal lead the competition with 24 points, followed by Tukapa (22), Spotswood United (21), Old Boys (19), Clifton (16), Inglewood (14), Stratford/Eltham (13) and Southern (9).

In the women's competition, Southern beat Okaiawa 64-0 in their final match of the season. 

Coastal were due to host Clifton, however, will meet in next weekend's final and decided to mutually default the match. 

Article added: Sunday 02 June 2019