Match Report: Carterton vs Greytown

By Andrew Dunford

Carterton 21 (Fiula Tameilau try, penalty try; Ben Brooking 3 penalty goals) Greytown 27.

Carterton went down to an improving and inspired Greytown team in the rain at Greytown, losing the Toi Ora Cup and Nunn Shield in the process.

Greytown missed two early penalty kicks at goal, unlike Ben Brooking whose first attempt was successful to give Carterton a 3-0 lead after ten minutes. Greytown then scored two backline tries down the left side of the field to lead 12-3. Ben Brooking kept Carterton in touch with further penalty goals after 21 and 37 minutes but Greytown scored a third try in between to lead 17-9 at half-time.

Carterton needed to score first in the second half but instead Greytown scored the bonus point try after 52 minutes when Carterton had two clearing kicks charged down, then extended the margin to 27-9 with a penalty goal after 59 minutes.

The visitors fought back strongly in the final quarter, first being awarded a penalty try when a deliberate knock-down stopped a three-on-one overlap, then Fiula Tameilau crossed again after 77 minutes following a 30-metre run. The drop-kicked conversion went over but was ruled out for being taken from the wrong position, and time ran out on Carterton with the final score Greytown 27 Carterton 21. A deserved victory for the home team, who played with more aggression and better combination throughout.

Isireli Biumaiwai on the blindside carried the ball strongly all day, and the returning Logan Wakefield’s work rate was typically high. The backline lacked fluency and penetration on the day, but Fiula Tameilau stood out for his ability to make ground with ball in hand.