Wests win back-to-back titles

via Bill Phillips - Greymouth Star

Wests and Kiwi met again in the Taylorville-Wallsend Cup West Coast club final in front of a huge crowd at John Sturgeon Park on Saturday. In a game that had almost everything going on, Kiwi were ahead by 12-10 at the break, but at full-time it was Wests who had their noses in front by two points, winning 26-24.
Wests have now won back-to-back titles after their stunning win last year.

The game was only a few minutes old when Kiwi ventured into Wests' territory for the first time and came up with a try to winger Rynhardt De Waal after Dan Tauwhare had joined the backline movement. Rynhardt bumped the red and blacks' defence off as he dived over wide out.
Sad news for Wests prop Murphy Kupe as he retired injured after eight minutes of play.

Logan Ross kicked a penalty goal from a handy range to bring the score back to 5-3, with Kiwi in front.
The game had a few penalties awarded early on and it was in the 20th minute when both teams fully came out of their shells and the ball started to move through both sets of backs with a lot more purpose.

After nearly half an hour of play, Kiwi were surging towards the tryline with several plays as the forwards dominated proceedings. They were looking sharp and hungry. The ball eventually came the short side and Kane Parker snuck over under lots of defensive pressure from Wests. He then converted his own try from wide out -- Kiwi 12-3.

As half-time approached there was a small kicking duel until Tayne Foster took a high ball, fed off to Jamie Garland who carved off half the field to get the lineout feed. From there they were scrambling to score under the posts after a few attempts until the ball went wide for Jamie Garland to cross for the try. Ross converted to bring them within two points of Kiwi at half-time, 12-10.

Wests took the lead eight minutes into the second half after Jamie Garland put a deft kick through to the Kiwi in-goal and Nathan Smith got to the ball first. They were looking pretty hungry for this touchdown as Kiwi defended a wave of Wests attacking close to the line -- great rugby from both teams as they battled away at each other. Ross added the conversion to nudge Wests in front 17-12.

Kiwi replied immediately with a try wide out to Jone Baba. He juggled the ball forward a couple of times before he took control to dot down. Parker added a pressure kick from the sideline to have Kiwi back in the lead, 19-17.

Jamie Garland left the field 12 minutes of play. He was the major kingpin in the backline, setting things on fire from first-five.
The score changed hands again as Ross kicked a penalty to have Wests in front by one, 20-19.

Wests went into another gear as they charged up field on numerous raids into blue territory. Tayne Foster was over the line for a great team try, only to have referee Chris O'Malley award a defensive penalty for a double movement. Ross slotted another couple of penalties soon after to gain a small buffer of 26-19.

When you thought Kiwi were done and dusted, they sprang back into action with a George Rea try wide out as the dive into water sprayed everywhere. Wests were in front by two points, 26-24, and less than two minutes of regular time left.

An unfortunate event then followed as Carlos Thompson went down in a big tackle by Benny Vauvau. Thompson had just returned from a hand injury and looked sharp on the wing. Referee O'Malley reviewed the situation, and the Wests forward was having an early shower.

Staff and team members were looking after Thompson on the field until the local ambulance arrived. No one in the crowd was moving -- there was an eerie silence as people watched on with concern. After nearly a 30-minute delay, Thompson was transferred to the waiting ambulance and taken to hospital.

Play resumed about 10 minutes later with about 27 seconds left on the clock. Kiwi attacked from the ensuing penalty they were awarded. They made ground up field until the breakdown occurred, and the Wests players went into rapturous celebrations as the game was won, and the club title was retained for a second year running: Wests 26, Kiwi 24.

Standouts for Kiwi were Troy Tauwhare, who battled all day; Kane Parker attacked everything and was rewarded with a try; big prop Daniel Foord powered his way forward constantly; and George Rea was everywhere.

For Wests, the standouts were Arnie Gibbens who went all day, as did Ben Alexander and Tayne Foster. Jamie Garland has something special and his departure from injury looked concerning. Nathan Smith was solid as always.

Wests 26 (Jamie Garland, Nathan Smith tries; Logan Ross 2 con, 4 pen) Kiwi 24 (Rynhardt De Waal, Kane Parker, Jone Baba, George Rea tries; Kane Parker 2 con).

PICTURE: Bill Phillips, DiGiSPORT - Plenty of action around the ball from both sets of forwards.

Image via Bill Phillips - West Rugby Football team after game win.