Team:
Joseph Tauheluhelu, Tane Te Aho, Maiora Taupo, Sam Pou, James Thompson, Brayden Porteous, R Kelly Paekau-Rush, Matthew Letoga, Brad McNaughten, Kaea Hongara, Brian Junior Lima, Caleb Muntz, Hunter Johnson, Nikora Maibibi, Reegan Crampton, Connor Brennan, Aston Finau, Jonas Pomare, Tevita Fa’ukafa, Rhys Dickinson, Logan Catherall, Tyler Riki-Pakewa.
Last Wednesday night saw the Harlequins U17 play Thames Valley U18 under lights at Bedford Park in Matamata.
Right from the kick-off the Harlequins showed the accuracy that had been missing the previous week against the Vikings. The passes were crisp, the running determined and there was some real urgency to the break-down. This paid dividends when No 8, Matthew Letonga was put into space down the wing and showed some great pace to keep the defending players at bay and scoring in the corner. The try was unconverted. The scoring soon continued when 1st five, Kaea Hongara picked up a loose Thames Valley ball and sprinted away to score under the posts which he converted.
The flood gates began to open slightly with Thames Valley beginning to struggle with the pace of the game. Big loose-head prop Joseph Tauheluhelu made some strong runs with ball in hand before showing his athleticism by diving over the top of a ruck on the Thames Valley try line to score. Not to be outdone by his St Johns school mate, Sam Pou received the ball on the Thames Valley 22 and made a run towards the line with the Valley boy’s falling for a couple of dummy passes and Sam driving over the line to score. The try was converted. Not wanting to be shown up by the forwards, both half back Brad McNaughten and wing Nikora Maibibi showed some real determination, taking on the defence and dotting down.
Some strong running by the Valley boys resulted in a try of their own which was unconverted.
he second half was more of the same with accuracy and strong running being the order of the day for the Harlequins team. Thames Valley had re-grouped at half time and the defence tightened however were unable to break the Harlequins line in attack. Kaea Hongara was moved from 1st five to fullback and showed his ability to be able to play in either position. After some strong running from his new position, Kaea dotted down for his second try of the evening. Kaea then made a break to put 2nd five Caleb Muntz into space who showed a clean pair of heels to run in a 50 metre try. Centre Hunter Johnson continued his great form and try scoring ability when he broke through the mid-field to score the final try of the evening.
