TACKLED: Savenaca Malumuvatu is tackled by the Hautapu defence as team-mates Daniel Doyle, Hamish Clapcott and Hutana Coffin provide support. Photo Brayden Lindsay
Ōtorohanga have shown teams they are not to be taken for granted in this year’s Waikato Club Rugby premiership division with a gutsy 16-14 win.
Hautapu are a perennial heavyweight in the Waikato competition and have been champions on numerous occasions.
On Saturday, Hautapu went into the opening round contest as the favourite against Ōtorohanga, because of their rich history and quality of personnel.
Small town side Ōtorohanga had other ideas and wanted to get their campaign off to the perfect start.
Big hits and strong runs were traded early as Dominic Clapcott added the first points through his deadly left foot, before the visiting Hautapu side scored the first try with halfback Quincy Ngatai dotting down under the posts.
Ōtorohanga, who have welcomed a few new faces into their squad this year, replied through the boot of Clapcott as he nailed his second penalty.
He attempted a third penalty from out wide, but it was into a stiff breeze and at close to 40 metres, fell just short.
Ōtorohanga were then penalised at the breakdown by referee Cole Northcott and Hautapu made them pay through their rolling maul, working their way close to the line, however, it was deemed to have been pulled down, so a penalty try was awarded.
The Golds stuck at their task and in wet conditions often took the right option, pushing their opponents deep into their own half.
Well into the second half on the back of some outstanding general kicking from Clapcott, Ōtorohanga were able to sneak their way across the line with powerful number 8 Turuva Lumelume bagging the try, before Clapcott kicked a conversion from wide out to put Ōtorohanga in front.
Coach Hutana Coffin was proud of his team’s defensive efforts.
“We defended superbly. Hautapu are a very good side that you cannot take lightly so to knock them over was a great first up result for us.
“The weather made things difficult, but the guys stuck to the task well and fought right until the end. There was plenty to like.”
Coffin said there was still plenty to work on for the home side.
“Our discipline could have really let us down on occasion, so we need to tidy that up and work on a couple of other things.”
Standouts for the Golds in their win were hooker Tai Edwards, flankers Doug Clapcott and Savenaca Malumuvatu, number 8 Turuva Lumelume, and backs Dominic Clapcott, Hamish Clapcott and the Coffin brothers Hutana and Kauri.
“Phil has got our tight five doing some really good stuff, while Doug is working with the loose forwards and has them going well.
“We have plenty of experience in the backs and things are looking good,” Coffin said.
He praised the team for their defensive fight and ability to play to the conditions.
“They dropped a lot of ball and I thought we played some smart rugby when we had to.
“We want to play an attacking style, but the weather meant we had to contain our flair a touch.”
On Friday, they head to Collins Rd to tackle Melville, a game they will want to win.
“Melville will be a tough side. There are no easy teams in this competition. We got the points we wanted on Saturday now we have to go there and do the same. The guys cannot afford to be complacent.
“We want to go out there and play some good rugby and hopefully get the right result.”
He is hopeful a few more players might be available this weekend, making selection interesting.
The Blues fell 13-12 to Hautapu in what was their first hit out.
It was an encouraging effort and big front rower Viliame Seuseu led the way with a spirited showing, while number 8 Jeremy Iti and halfback Liam Fox also played well.
They play Melville at 12.15pm on Friday with the Golds at 2pm.
Meanwhile, their women’s team started the campaign in fine style with a win over Southern 20-12.
Hannah Brough and Sina Hetet were superb in the victory, while Jess Whitiora, Katie Corbett and Taiari Cassidy also performed strongly.
Ōtorohanga’s women’s team have Easter weekend off before facing Waikato University on April 15.
