Match Report : Carterton v Greytown – 30th April 2022
Carterton 47 (Fiula Tameilau, Blair Heming, Zach Wakefield, Tupou Lea’aemanu (2), Inia Katia tries; Sam Morison 4 conversions, 3 penalties) Greytown 12.
Carterton won the Grant Cup and qualified for the final of the Lane Penn Cup with a round to spare after a more than pleasing 47-12 away win over Greytown. A Grant Cup win is always meaningful to both clubs and this one tasted good – it had been a long time between drinks.
Carterton were quickly into their stride, striking after five minutes when Fiula Tameilau crossed in the corner. Greytown equalized after a misunderstanding saw the ball go loose inside the Carterton 22, but a SamMorison penalty from 30 metres put Carterton back in front.
Blair Heming scored from close range after 22 minutes following a strong midfield burst from Brandon Wright. Carterton established territorial dominance during this period, and a retreating Greytown defensive scrum enabled Zach Wakefield to steal the ball at the base and dot down. Carterton camped in Greytown’s 22 at the end of the half, two more big scrums and a series of forward drives ending in a Tupou Lea’aemanu try and Morison conversion. Carterton led 27-5 at the break.
The only Carterton scoring in the third quarter was a Morison penalty, Greytown’s intercept try after 59 minutes bringing the score back to 30-12. Morison kicked another penalty after 68 minutes, then converted tries in the last five minutes by Lea’aemanu from a quick tap and Inia Katia rounding out a successful afternoon.
Carterton played with continuity despite seven players appearing for the first time this season. Zach Wakefield had a huge game at blindside, Terongo Tekii shone at openside, and hooker Hone Vella worked hard throughout. The new inside back pairing of Ruben Erasmus and Daryl Pickering functioned smoothly – Pickering’s line kicking being a highlight – outside which Brandon Wright and left winger Carlos Rimene each made several strong runs.
3-2-1
1 point, Ruben Erasmus
2 points, Tupou Lea’aemanu
3 points, Zach Wakefield
Supporters’ Vote – Blair Heming