Stingrays barely survive Colts scare
Counties Manukau needed a try in the dying moments to keep alive their hopes of defending the 17s crown on Day Two of
the "Got A Trade?" NZRL National Youth Tournament in Rotorua.
Locked in a tense battle with the hometown Wai-Coa-Bay Colts, the Stingrays found themselves 26-20 down with less than
10 minutes to play, but managed to pull the result out of the fire with a late try to second row Tamatik Ioane-Niko,
converted by centre Henry Pei.
The rivals were even 10-10 at halftime and Counties seemed to have grabbed control after the break, with two converted
tries to fullback Ethan Nukanuka and wing Sam Filimoeatu.
The Colts, who were 40-0 winners over the South Island on opening day, struck back with three unaswered tries. When
Nikora Rangi grabbed his second of the game 10 minutes from the end, Wai-Coa-Bay suddenly had their noses ahead and an
upset was in the wind.
But they were unable to hold off the determined South Aucklanders and must now face a stern test from Wellington Orcas,
if they are to progress to the semi-finals.
Ioane-Niko was duly named player of the match for his game-winning heroics.
Akarana Falcons and Auckland Invitation have separated themselves from their rivals in the other 17s pool.
The Falcons put 50 points on their Northland opponents, with Austin Masiutama and Kalani Pewhairangi-Charlie crossing
for two tries each, while Chol Chol had a hat-trick for Auckland in their 30-4 win over Central Vipers.
Akarana are also unbeaten in their 15s title defence, but were unconvincing for the second day in succession, as they
edged Wellington 18-10.
The champions trailed 10-4 at the break and needed a staunch defensive effort over the second half to escape defeat.
Counties are two-from-two in the other pool, after defeating Central Vipers 26-16.
In nailbiting 15s finish, Joseph Taipari's successful attempt at goal in the final minute steered South Island Scorpions
home 12-10 over Northern Swords in a contest that was locked 6-6 at halftime.
"GOT A TRADE?" NZRL NATIONAL YOUTH TOURNAMENT
Puketawhero Park, Rotorua
Tuesday, September 30
17s
Auckland Invitation 30 (Chol Chol 3, Fa'atapu Lisati, Delaney Chaney-Puata & Bailey Payne tries; Lisati 2 & Bostyn Hakaraia goals) Mid Central Vipers 4 (Robbie McFarlane try): HT: 10-4
Player of the match - Hardi Pomate (Auckland)
Akarana Falcons 50 (Austin Masiutama 2, Kalani Pewhairangi-Charlie 2, Dean Kouka-Smith, Zaylin Inu, Kahil Johnson, Sitiu Tupounuia & Don Broughton tries; Johnson 7 goals) Northern Swords 4 (Tamati Leach try): HT: 16-4
Player of the match - Luke Tipene (Akarana)
Counties Manukau Stingrays 28 (Kristian Petty 2, Ethan Nukanuka, Sam Fiilimoetau & Tamati Ioane-Niko tries; Henry Pei 4 goals) Wai-Coa-Bay Colts 26 (Wally Tipene 2, Nikora Rangi 2 & Shadzz Hapi-Wise tries; Norgan Harper 2 & Reuben Taylor goals); HT: 10-10
Player of the match - Ioane-Niko
Wellington Orcas 40 (Enoch Tautolo 2, Tyrone Tihore, Tarquinn Alatipi, Tristan Davis, Solon Patelesio & Logan Saumolia tries; Luke Cummings 6 goals) South Island Scorpions 6 (Rory Ferguson try; Logan Woodham goal); HT: 16-6
Player of the match - Saumolia
15s
Auckland Invitation 22 (Kenshin Tsutsui, Blade Kamuwhemu, Antonio Nelu & James Courtnay tries; Bailey Poto 3 goals) Wai-Coa-Bay Colts 14 (Tautau Kapea, John Friis & Taelem McGregor tries; Hopa Haika goal); HT: 18-6
Player of the match - Starford Toa (Auckland)
Counties Manukau Stingrays 26 (Steven Marsters, Semisi Kioa, Dakota Edmonds-Taimani, Joshua Uta & Jayden Thompson tries; Etene Nanai-Seturo 2 & Kiani Marshall goals) Central Vipers 16 (Wipere Takitimu, Corey Robertson & Joey Lose tries; Jahlon Governor 2 goals); HT: 10-4
Player of the match - Marsters
Akarana Falcons 18 (Mikey Williams, Daymon Abbey & Hayes Okesene tries; Chanel Harris-Tavita 3 goals) Wellington Orcas 10 (Te Aorere Wanoa & Gerard Akavi-Ahnau tries; Dante Laulu goal); HT: 4-10
Player of the match - Williams
South Island Scorpions 12 (Dallas Onosai & Seth Tauamiiti tries; Joseph Taipari 2 goals) Northland Swords 10 (Te Kahi Nathan & Bradley Laniganh tries; Nikau Graham goal): HT: 6-6
Player of the match - Leicester Faingaanuku (South Island
ends