Match Report: Carterton v Pioneer – 7th May 2022
Carterton v Pioneer – 7th May 2022
Carterton 23 (Tupou Lea’aemanu, Hone Vella, Inia Katia tries; Sam Morison conversion, 2 penalties) Pioneer 16.
Carterton won a hard-fought contest over Pioneer in the sunshine at Belvedere Road, coming from behind in the second half to triumph 23-16 and finish the Lane Penn Cup round robin unbeaten.
Playing at home for the first time this season, Carterton immediately faced a stronger contest at the breakdown than last week, conceding two penalties for holding on in the first five minutes. There followed a series of penalties against Pioneer, Sam Morison kicking one to open the scoring.
The second quarter was dominated by the referee as players from both teams failed to heed his instructions. With both Pioneer starting props in the bin, Tupou Lea’aemanu from the back of a dominant five-metre scrum to score: 10-0 with Morison’s conversion. Pioneer then enjoyed its best period, kicking a penalty and scoring a converted try from a 10-12 backline move. A second penalty on half time gave them a 13-10 lead.
Carterton substituted four players at the break, but Pioneer immediately kicked a penalty to extend their lead to 16-10. Morison replied in kind after 43 minutes and Carterton then came back into the match. Hone Vella took a midfield pass to rumble over after 53 minutes and regain the lead, then Inia Katia’s solo 20-metre run and try after 75 minutes made it 23-16. A tense last five minutes of sustained Pioneer pressure was resisted only by a strong Carterton defensive effort in which Daryl Pickering was outstanding with two try-saving contributions.
This was a tough match for Carterton who struggled for continuity while Pioneer looked after its ball well. In the forwards Lachie McFadzean again ruled the lineouts, Sivo Karavaki grew in confidence with ball in hand, Hone Vella made a big impact off the bench and Tupou Lea’aemanu was difficult to stop as ever, especially in the first half. The backs improved in the second half with a dynamic contribution from Fiula Tameilau, Inia Katia moving out to take control of the midfield, and an inspirational 80-minute performance from captain Daryl Pickering.
Work ons for next week are keeping 15 players on the field and keeping our mouthguards in at all times – don’t niggle the ref or touchies fellas. We are grateful for the at times thankless task they conduct week after week.
Next week Carterton enjoys a week off then plays Eketahuna at home on 21st May.
#ctb AD
3-2-1
1 – Inia Katia
2 – Sivo Karavaki
3 – Terongo Tekii
Supporters’ Vote – Aseri Waqa