Tough loss at Oamaru

Sport

3 Sept

Written By Dan Hutchinson

The Paparata Farms King Country Rams had a heartbreaking loss to North Otago on Saturday being pipped 32-31 at Oamaru.

By Andrew (Chainsaw) McCullough

A tough travel schedule for the Rams meant arriving late into Oamaru on the Friday night after a big travel day.

On a fine but blustery day the Rams played for the first time at the newly built Whitestone Contracting Stadium.

Playing into the wind they had a rough start where they had several opportunities on attack but didn’t convert any and then conceded a try to North Otago in the 13th minute.

They then got into the work and after a great lineout drive lock Tyson Lowry crossed to score and Patrick Hedley was able to convert.

Ten minutes later the Rams crossed again after a scintillating break by second-five Tairoa Crean. Again, Hedley converted to give a 14-5 lead into the wind.

However, at the 30-minute mark North Otago lock Corban Agar scored after a quick tap and drive from a close-range penalty. This was converted by first-five Rico Muliana.

Then just before halftime wing Baven Brown was yellow carded after a number of offences by the team on defence.

To rub salt into the wound Muliana kicked a penalty and North Otago went into the halftime break 15-14 ahead.

Straight after halftime North Otago went further ahead with a try out wide which was converted.

Straight away in reply, impressive centre Logan Patterson made a great break beating numerous players and was then driven over the line to score a great individual try. Hedley again converted.

Again, the Rams let North Otago into the game and after 15 minutes winger Ben Paton scored out wide after a cross kick and Muliana converted well.

As was typical the Rams responded soon after and after some driving forward play number 8 Kaharoa Takuira-Mita crossed and again Hedley converted.

Trailing by a point the Rams received a kickable penalty in the 25th minute which Hedley comfortably put over.

It was then a tense battle for the final 15 minutes with North Otago managing to keep pressure on the Rams and they just couldn’t clear out of their half.

In the last minutes two penalties were awarded to North Otago in kickable range and while Muliana missed the first one from about 40 metres out, he made no mistake with one about 35 metres out on a tricky angle.

There was time for a kick off, but the ball was scrambled out, and North Otago emerged 32-31 victors.

While disappointed with the loss the Rams collected 2 bonus points and remain in 3rd place on the ladder on 12 points and will probably reflect on one they let slip.

Players to stand out were centre Patterson and No 8 Takuira-Mita.

This coming Saturday the Rams take on table topping South Canterbury who seem to be tracking well and have proved to be a difficult opponent for the Rams since the Heartland Championship started. The game is at Rugby Park in Te Kuiti with a 1pm kick off.