Lizard News AUGUST 2018
FREE LOCAL NEWS... IN THE COMMUNITY
AONGATETE • ŌMOKOROA • PAHOIA • TE PUNA • WHAKAMĀRAMA
Te Puna acknowledged for stand out season By Matthew Farrell e Puna Rugby Club’s beaten Baywide finalists “will be better for it”, according to the head coach of the premier grade team. Talking to Lizard News on the pitch of champions Te Puke shortly after the final whistle on Saturday 28th July, Aidan Kuka was both philosophical and upbeat. “It’s nice to be here for once. It’s done wonders for our community to have something positive, and we have our club’s centenary next year to look forward to. “I thought our defence was outstanding. We only conceded two tries, but Te Puke were very good at defence too and only conceded one. They won more moments than us and were on the better side of the penalty count,” says Aidan. Te Puke scored the first try, but Te Puna led twice in the first half, initially when Te Aihe Toma converted his
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own try and again a little later from his successful penalty kick. Te Puke lead 11-10 at the break. Both sides fielded replacements on the hour mark, with the home side 14-13 ahead. Eight minutes later Te Puke went over again and were in the ascendancy, with a conversion and two penalties making the final score 27-13. A roller coaster ride for whānau and friends of Te Puna ultimately ended in defeat, but not before memorable semi-final wins the week before against Tauranga Sports in all three grades: premier (39-17), reserves (16-15) and development (38-14). BoPRU president Phil Barnett says it was a fantastic game, truly befitting of a premier final. “It’s probably a tough day for Te Puna, but you can hold your heads high. You are perhaps the only club ever to have three teams in the finals. I think it’s un-
precedented. Maybe next year, you’ll go one further and take the trophy,” says Phil. Te Puna captain Te Aihe Toma graciously congratulated Te Puke and says Te Puna couldn’t have asked for anything more from their supporters. His Pirates counterpart, Danny Underwood, thanked Te Aihe for his kind words and also paid tribute to Te Puna for bringing supporters and families in numbers. Aidan Kuka says regardless of the results; he’s extremely proud of all three Te Puna teams. “Their training ethic has been high quality, their comradeship strong and they’ve played their hearts out every Saturday. The majority of players will be back with us next season if they’re staying in the area, and we have a young premier team.” Te Puke also won the development final 27-22, while Rūātoki won the reserves final 20-13.
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