Wairarapa Bush
Central Hawke’s Bay
Copthorne Wairarapa Bush comfortably retained the Stu Smith Memorial Trophy in an open, entertaining representative fixture against Central Hawke’s Bay [CHB] at Eketāhuna yesterday.
The home side made their intentions clear from the first whistle, moving the ball wide at every opportunity, and their enterprise paid off in the first four minutes when winger Joseph Te Naihi burst
through a gap to score.
It took until 20 minutes for Wai Bush to score again, with impressive first-five Ashton Coates dotting down.
Further tries to rangy lock Sekove Finau, who brushed aside two or three tackles on a 25m run and hooker Caedman Hawkins gave the “Green and Reds” a 22–5 lead at halftime.
Coach Reece Robinson rang the changes at halftime, but despite the new personnel, Wai Bush ran in another four tries to halfback Tarquin Karaitiana, winger Nacanieli Buadromo, first-five Zinny Harmon, and the last a brilliant 22m solo effort to Fiula Tameilau, who played the final minutes at halfback.
CHB also contributed to the entertaining spectacle, scoring four tries despite struggling for possession and territory for much of the game.
There will be a full report and reaction in tomorrow’s Times-Age.
