Te Awamutu shut down Hamilton’s Peace Cup challenge
Te Awamutu went top of the Stan Meads Cup table after a hard fought win over Hamilton.
A strong defensive effort from Te Awamutu has seen them retain the Peace Cup after they beat Hamilton 30-20 in Otorohanga on Saturday afternoon.
The win also sends Te Awamutu to the top of the Stan Meads Cup table although the hosts were tested at Island Reserve by a Hamilton side that enjoyed more of the possession and territory.
Te Awamutu worked hard off the ball to put pressure on Hamilton, who were forced to play catch up rugby after falling behind early, and although the visitors threatened to snatch the game late in the second half it was too little too late as Te Awamutu defended the Peace Cup for the third time in three weeks. They also took a bonus point, outscoring Hamilton five tries to three with centre Inoke Tuibua and prop Villiame Seuseu getting two each.
The Te Awamutu forward pack, led by Seuseu and loose forward Cohen Masson, worked well as a unit, while in the backline Tuibua was always dangerous and captain Ryan Meacheam directed his troops well from fullback.
Te Awamutu got off to a quick start with two long range tries to Tuibua and a penalty kick to second five Leon Emery before Hamilton responded with a try to first five Kane Adams who added the conversion to go with his earlier penalty kick.
The try seemed to spark Hamilton into life but a lot of effort on attack mounted to little as the Te Awamutu defence held firm, and after weathering the storm the hosts added their third try shortly before the break when Seuseu crashed over.
The intensity of the game remained high throughout the second half as both teams showed desperation on attack but the two defences cancelled each other out.
Seuseu crossed for his second try to wrap up Te Awamutu’s bonus point midway through the second spell and the match looked as good as over.
Hamilton, however, sprang into action in the last 15 minutes as the previously impenetrable home defence switched off to allow two tries in five minutes to fullback Jono Malo and centre Steve Ketu.
The game was heading towards a tense finish before Te Awamutu pounced on a dropped ball by Hamilton and loose forward Tu Waqa scored to seal the match, with replacement back Ben Gisler adding the conversion.
