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| Sharks just squeezed out | ||||||
| Western sharks 28 Hikurangi 29 | ||||||
| The Dargaville Ford Western sharks rugby teams traveled over to Hikurangi last Saturday to have their Beaurepaires premier team just squeezed out 29 - 28 by Hikurangi, who kicked a last minute penalty for their victory. The Morfett Autos Western shark reserve team, also went down 34 - 24 in the earlier match. | ||||||
| The Premier game was a see saw encounter, with first one team then the other holding the lead, but when the Sharks crashed over for a try, to take a 28 - 26 lead five minutes from time, it looked like they would pull off a big victory, but it wasn't to be. | ||||||
| The Sharks had Props Kevin Morrissey, Thomas TePaa and halfback Cam Smith up to the premiers side to fill in for Injuries, and all acquitted themselves particularly well. Flankers Solomone Palu and Mark Russell had top outings, as did hooker Craig Williamson Number 8 Maake Onesi featured with powerful bursts, while locks Dave Pulman, and especially lineout star Peter Bond were at their best. | ||||||
| Young first five Tane Takalua had a much improved game, and kicked and distributed the ball well, while fellow backs, Siosifa Mafi, Tony Stokes, Scott McDermott and Jeremy Hutchinson all had their moments. Replacement Winger Steve Tane looked full of business and just needs to use his ample pace immediately he gets ball in hand, to run straight and hard. Tony Stokes, Craig Williamson and Tane Takalua were the Sharks try scorers with Takalua kicking three penaltys and two conversions. The Carters players of the day were Maake Onesi and Tane Takalua. Kyle Collins officiated | ||||||
| The Sharks reserve team felt the effect of loosing players to the premier team for this match, and after a good start, were somewhat out gunned by Hikurangi in the middle stages of the game, However they proved, they are made of the right stuff to come back strongly in the latter part of the encounter and close right in on the home team lead. Try scorers were Hamish Stokes, Thomas Tepaa and Sitivini Latavao. And Tepou Nipurahi kicked 3 penaltys for the Sharks. The Empire liquor center players of the Day were Lyle Burgess and Steven Tane. Marty Albrecht was an excellent Referee. | ||||||
| The Sharks travel down to Wellsford on Saturday. | ||||||