The Stoke rugby juggernaut carries on, retaining its Car Company Nelson Bays Division 2 title today after beating Waimea 22-17 in a tough tussle in front of a large, very vocal crowd.
Stoke has now gone unbeaten the past two seasons but was pushed to the wire, at home, by its closest rival Waimea.
Loose forward Kisione Niutupuivaha finished off a lineout drive to open the scoring for the visitors in just the sixth minute.
But the lead was short-lived as mercurial Stoke playmaker Joey Scott split the defence and put away his second five Hokianga Morunga.
After a clearing kick was charged down, Kisione thought he had a second try but a knock on ruled that out.
The pace of the game saw subs being rolled out after just 20 minutes.
Then the wings got in on the act.
A slick backline move saw Finn Calder cross in the corner as Stoke edged ahead only for Presley Tuipuloto to respond.
A sideline conversion from first five Hoani Dygas gave Waimea a 14-12 half-time lead.
Stoke wasn’t worried though, as it is a renowned for its strong second halfs.
However a penalty goal from Hoani took Waimea five points clear early in the second spell.
A misfiring lineout continually stymied the defending champions’ momentum with four throws in a row going astray.
“It was something we had been working on, speed in the lineouts,” reveals Waimea captain Solomon Wairua.
His side’s goal line defence was also proving hard to crack, until Joey spotted a gap and scooted through to level the scores at 17-17.
Tensions were rising with a couple of back-to-back flare-ups.
The sinbinning of Waimea winger Harry Carmichael proved a double blow as Stoke replacement back Brady Richards made the most of the extra space out wide to snatch Stoke’s fourth try and the lead 22-17.
The titleholders then resisted one final Waimea surge to retain the Div 2 trophy.
“It is a real brotherhood and we play for each other. Everyone buys in so it is a real good culture,” declares captain Sam Schultz, wiping away the blood from his nose.
“I think it was friendly fire from one of my teammates,” quips the 22-year-old halfback.
Solomon was proud of his Waimea side, which had been full of confidence after coming within four points of Stoke in their round robin clash last month.
“We have gone from losing to Stoke in the semis last year, to making the final this time. We can build on that and come next year and win it,” insists the loose forward.
Stoke 22 (Hokianga Morunga, Finn Nalder, Joey Scott and Brady Richards tries, Sam Schultz one conversion) beat Waimea 17 ( Kisione Niutupuivaha and Presley Tuipulotu tries, Hoani Dygas two conversions and a penalty goal).
