By Andrew (Chainsaw) McCullough
Rams stay top after two very different halves
The Paparata Farms King Country Rams remain at the top of the Heartland Championship table after overpowering Ngāti Porou East Coast 52–10 under lights at Owen Delany Park in Taupō.
In front of a bumper crowd, boosted by the Global Games being held at the venue, the Rams produced a superb first-half display to lead 38–0 at the break.
The second half was a different story, however, with the Rams losing some of their accuracy and East Coast finding their rhythm through their powerful forward pack.
There was plenty at stake, with both the Bill Osborne Taonga and the newly carved and blessed Manawaroa Taonga on the line.
Rams captain Liam Rowlands was delighted to accept both pieces of silverware after the match.
East Coast started strongly and put the Rams under pressure during the opening 10 minutes, but once King Country settled, the scoreboard began to tick over.
A dominant scrum gave No. 8 Kaharoa Takuira-Mita the opportunity to score off the back in the 15th minute and the big loose forward was soon at it again, breaking several tackles to grab his second.
Winger Samesa Bainivalu then crossed for his first try for King Country after a break and clever flip pass from Rowlands.
Takuira-Mita completed his hat-trick in the 29th minute, following up a brilliant break and chip through from fellow loose forward Reeve Satherley.
Players celebrate after their win over Ngāti Porou East Coast. Photo: Sophia Wood
The Rams continued to find gaps in the East Coast defence. Lock Peter Te Kahu finished off a backline movement out wide before, just a minute later, breaking through the defence and setting up centre Logan Patterson for a long-range try.
Hone Mathieson converted four of the five first-half tries as King Country headed to halftime with a commanding 38–0 lead.
The Rams continued where they left off after the break, with Patterson making another break before finding fullback Patrick Hedley, who crossed three minutes into the second half.
But from there the game became increasingly scrappy.
Changes to both teams disrupted the flow and East Coast's experienced reserves helped turn the momentum. The Coasties began to dominate the forward exchanges and their driving play eventually produced a try for hooker Jaya More in the 48th minute.
Te Kahu restored the Rams' momentum with his second try, crashing over under the posts, but East Coast continued to ask questions of the King Country pack.
Their second try came in the 71st minute when replacement hooker Joe Royal drove over from a lineout maul.
The final 20 minutes were punctuated by four yellow cards, with East Coast halfback Sam Parkes and centre Api Pewhairangi, along with Rams replacement midfielder Josevata Malimoce, spending time in the sin bin for high tackles. Rams replacement lock Dylan Wind also received a team-discipline card.
King Country coach Aarin Dunster was pleased with the way his side dominated the opening 40 minutes but admitted there was plenty to work on after the break.
The Rams now turn their attention to Saturday's clash with Buller at Taumarunui, knowing that another win will be vital as they look to maintain their position at the top of the Heartland Championship.
Takuira-Mita and Te Kahu were prominent for the Rams, while Satherley also impressed. Halfback Kristian Gent-Standen and Mathieson again provided plenty of control.
For East Coast, lock Kaydin Budd and second five-eighth Joe Saina were among their best.
Scorers were: King Country Rams: Kaharoa Takuira-Mita (3), Samesa Bainivalu, Peter Te Kahu (2), Logan Patterson, Patrick Hedley tries. Hone Mathieson 5 conversions
Ngati Porou East Coast: Jaya More and Joe Royal tries