KC Rams rumble on

The Paparata Farms King Country Rams continued their superb Heartland Championship campaign with a convincing 57–12 victory over a valiant Buller side at the Taumarunui Domain. 

By Andrew McCullough 

The win was not only another important step in the Rams’ push for the Meads Cup but also secured the Bill Osborne Taonga for the season. 

It was not the Rams’ most clinical performance, but they finished strongly, scoring six unanswered tries in the second half after taking a slender 19–12 lead into the break. 

Played in perfect conditions before a packed Taumarunui Domain, the Rams made a fast start. Local boy and winger Styris Harland crossed out wide after fullback Patrick Hedley made a strong break. 

Buller proved a handful up front, with their willing pack making life difficult for the Rams. Halfback Josh Beveridge and first five Jack Parker controlled proceedings well for the visitors. 

After 25 minutes, the Rams finally broke through again following a period of sustained pressure. Halfback Kristian Gent-Standen produced a dummy and went over close to the posts. 

Buller hit back with two excellent driving-maul tries, both scored by captain and hooker Anthony Ellis in his 86th game for the union. 

King Country regained the lead just before halftime when lock Peter Te Kahu broke through and Hedley was on hand to finish off the move after some excellent support play. 

Whatever coach Aarin Dunster said at halftime certainly had an effect. 

The Rams came out for the second half with renewed purpose and piled on 38 unanswered points, with Buller struggling to match the pace and intensity. A number of injury-enforced changes also disrupted the Buller backline. 

First five Hone Mathieson set the tone almost immediately, scoring after a superb solo kick-and-chase just three minutes into the half. He added his second try of the afternoon later in the half, beating three defenders close to the line. 

The Rams continued to turn the screw and, after 24 minutes, centre Logan Patterson maintained his remarkable try-scoring run. Patterson finished off after getting involved following a break by captain Liam Rowlands, dotting the ball down over the top of a maul. 

A few minutes later, a loose Buller kick was snapped up by replacement halfback Regan Gent-Standen. He released Hedley, who raced around to score his second try of the afternoon. 

Patterson then grabbed his second with 10 minutes remaining after a sweeping movement involving both backs and forwards. 

The final try was another example of the Rams’ ability to keep the ball alive, with lock Dylan Wind making a break before finding loose forward Reeve Satherley, who finished off the move. 

While it was not King Country’s most polished performance, the Rams still managed to score 50 points or more for the fourth consecutive week. 

Mathieson was outstanding, finishing with a personal tally of 22 points, while Taumarunui Eels lock Wind also impressed with a strong performance. 

The Rams now face a very different challenge next Saturday when they make the short trip to Whanganui to take on their neighbours at Spriggens Park. 

There is plenty at stake for both teams. A King Country victory would guarantee the Rams a home Meads Cup semi-final, while a Whanganui win could see them sneak into a Meads Cup semi-final or secure home advantage for a Lochore Cup semi-final. 

There is also the small matter of the Pinetree Log, which is currently resting comfortably in the King Country Rugby Union office. 

The Rams are now sitting in rarefied air at the top of the Heartland Championship table. With players returning from injury and others putting their hands up with strong performances, coach Dunster and his selectors face some very difficult decisions in the weeks ahead. 

It promises to be another big occasion at Spriggens Park, and the Rams will be hoping plenty of supporters make the trip south to get behind the team. 

King Country Rams: Styris Harland, Kristian Gent-Standen, Patrick Hedley (2), Hone Mathieson (2), Logan Patterson (2), Reeve Satherley tries. Hone Mathieson 6 conversions. 

Buller: Anthony Ellis 2 tries. Jack Parker 1 conversion.