MSP withstand mighty Wainui onslaught
MSP have survived a barrage of Wainiomata attacks late in the game to narrowly win 42-40 at Evans Bay Park.
The key turning point came just after halftime when a perfectly judged Fa'atonu Fili kick landed perfectly into the arms of flanker Isaac O'Conner who charged in for a try. This set the crowd into a frenzy and started a period of dominance.
Shortly after O'Conner's brilliant touchdown, MSP were threatening again. After good build-up, imposing second-five Billy Proctor ran a perfect inside line to charge straight through the defence and score.
MSP's confidence was now soaring leading to a further try to Proctor after another Barrett-like pass from Fili. While Fili had an off-day from the kicking tee, his vision and skill level was exceptional.
However, it was Wainuiomata who got off to the perfect start. MSP made a mess of the first kick-off allowing first-five Uale Mai to slice open the MSP defence to set up Mike Lealava'a for an early score. An ensuing penalty gave the away side a 10-0 lead.
MSP responded quickly when Yuko Takahira took an inside ball to scamper down the touchline to score. The right-winger was a constant threat on attack and seems to have a knack of being in the right place at the right time.
The see-saw nature of the game continued when Wainuiomata's impressive second-five Isiah Mamea showed his strength to smash his way through the defence to score near the posts. The away side now led 17-10.
MSP responded again with an outstanding try. Centre Ryan Setefano drew the defence before beautifully offloading to Takahira who showed pace and a decent fend to score in the corner to close the gap.
The home side were not done with yet. A nicely timed Sean Bridge pass sent Setefano flying down the wing. The centre chipped and a deflection allowed him to touch the ball down centimetres from the line. MSP now led 20-17.
Wainuiomata's never-say-die attitude was evident again after responding with a try off the maul to lead at the break 24-20. MSP were unlucky not to be leading at the break after missing several opportunities to score in the first-half.
However, the half-time team talk must have revved-up MSP. They came into the second-half with intensity leading to three consecutive tries giving the home side a 39-27 lead.
Wainuiomata were now under pressure to score quick- and they did. After kicking for the corner, No.8 Tupuola scored off the maul to get his team back into the game.
The momentum of the game shifted yet again as MSP reserve flanker Tuia was yellow-carded for a head-high and Wainui kicked the penalty to ensure a nail-biting finish.
With the game on a knife edge with MSP leading 42-35, Wainuiomata scored a brilliant try after athletic reserve Thomas Umaga-Jensen weaved his way through the defence and sent a SBW-like offload to a charging Jalan Farris to reduce the deficit to two points. However, MSP held their nerve to win an intense encounter.
On other matches, both Tawa and Poneke got their respective campaigns back on track with wins against the Rams and Wellington respectively. HOBM have sent a reminder of their ability after rolling over Avalon 53-0 with a hat-trick to Fereti Soloa who now leads the tournament try-scoring list! Petone shared the points with Ories, drawing 25-all. Finally, Norths beat Johnsonville 35-17 and OBU continue their great form with a 74-8 win against Paremata-Plimmerton.
In Women's rugby action; Norths and Ories on their Division One games against OBU and HOB respectively. Ories were particularly strong putting 102 points on their opposition. In Division Two action, Poneke and Paremata-Plimmerton beat Petone and Tawa respectively.
