The Ōhaupō Rugby Sports Club senior players got their 2024 pre-season campaign under way on Saturday with a clinical first-half demolition of Pāpāmoa Rugby Club at a wet Ōhaupō Memorial Park.

After journeying over the Kaimai Range, the visiting Bay of Plenty club saw themselves head down another slope, behind 43-0 at halftime.

Both the Ōhaupō recruits and longtime players showcased their fitness and ability, scoring tries from near, far and wide.

Ōhaupō outside backs Caleb Kennedy and Queyst Michael-Tapu each grabbed a first-half brace, with further tries added by Reed Watson, Ethan Refoy and Lance Elrick.

No 12 Watson converted three of the tries, with replacement first five-eighth Tom Keeling also adding two points.

The second half brought just 12 points as the floodgates closed.

Pāpāmoa were first to score and converted their try before veteran Elrick crossed the chalk again to close off the scoring for Ōhaupō and the match.

The home side left the field victorious 48-7.

“I thought the boys played awesome in the first half, executed the attacking game plan we had been working on in training and adapted to the wet weather well,” Ōhaupō assistant coach Connor Larsen-Cross said.

“The second half gave us lots of ideas of what we can work on in the next couple of weeks leading into the season, but overall very happy with the game and the boys’ efforts, and thought it was an ideal way to kick off footy season again.”

The new-arrival five-eighth combo of Logan Lemon (Christchurch) and Watson (Tauranga) led their side around the park, with Watson showcasing his kicking skill off the tee.

Other first-time reps Tye Chase, Keeling, Adam Kelly, Malachi Pehi, Max Robertson and Daniel Nadan showed what they can bring to the table.

Nadan, a former Melville prop, crumpled player after player as they got in his way.

Scott Thomas was solid at halfback, as were the loose trio of Hayden Thomas, Robertson and former King Country B rep Trent Sargent.

Captain Jade Walker led from the front while Ben Parrott, in the unfamiliar position of lock, put his body on the line wherever he could.

The outside backs constantly threatened their opposition.

Ōhaupō host their second pre-season match tonight (Thursday) at Ōhaupō Memorial Park against locals Frankton Rugby Sports Club. Kick-off is 6.45pm.

After some well-earned rest over Easter, both the Senior A and B sides will head down the road on April 6 for Waikato Club Rugby Division 1 and 1B round one against rivals Leamington Rugby Sports Club.

Once again in 2024, the B side will follow the A team’s calendar.

Senior B matches kick-off at 1pm followed by the Senior A teams at 2.45pm.

Ōhaupō Points:
Tries: Caleb Kennedy 2, Queyst Michael-Tapu 2, Lance Elrick 2, Reed Watson, Ethan Refoy.
Conversions: Reed Watson 3, Tom Keeling.

- Jesse Wood - Waikato Herald/NZME

Article added: Tuesday 26 March 2024