Match Report: Carterton vs Greytown (2023 Champions)

By Andrew Dunford

Carterton 29 (Malakai Biumaiwai, Inia Katia tries; Ben Brooking 2 conversions, 5 penalty goals) Greytown 26.

Carterton retained the Chris ‘Moose’ Kapene Memorial Cup in a thrilling climax to the 2023 final against Greytown at Memorial Park in Masterton, winning with the last kick of the match via a penalty goal from the boot of fullback Ben Brooking.

Carterton made two changes from its semi-final lineup, Mitieli Waqa returning to the bench and Trent Hopwood coming back to replace the unfortunate Brandon Wright, who had played in every previous match this year but was injured at training during the week. With locks Greg Gouws and Mike Kloeg still out injured, Lachie McFadzean’s latest return from retirement was extended another week.

Conditions at Memorial Park were perfect for the final, the only weather factor being the low sun which shone in Carterton eyes during the first half and which Greytown exploited frequently. Carterton opened the scoring after four minutes with a penalty goal from Ben Brooking following a ruck turnover and hit-up by Inia Katia, but the Maroons’ discipline was not at its best in the first quarter. A succession of penalties provided Greytown with four kicks at goal, three of which were successful as they established a 9-3 lead.

Carterton fought back strongly in the second quarter, taking the lead for the first time after 24 minutes when Malakai Biumaiwai burst from the back of the ruck through several tackles to score. Ben Brooking’s conversion and then penalty goals after 28 and 35 minutes stretched the lead to 16-9 approaching half-time, but very much against the run of play Greytown was awarded a penalty try when Aseri Waqa’s brilliant attempt at a try-saving tackle in the corner was adjudged high. This made the score 16-all at half time, which on balance of play was scant reward for Carterton’s dominance.

Carterton made a strong start to the second half, Inia Katia scoring after 42 minutes in the eleventh phase of a relentless attack in which he, both the Biumaiwai brothers and Tupou Lea’aemanu all carried the ball multiple times. Greytown hit back, scoring a converted try after 48 minutes to level the match again and then taking the lead 26-23 with a penalty goal after 51 minutes, but Carterton made light of losing Inia Katia to the sin bin, enjoying another strong period on attack which led to Ben Brooking levelling the scores with a penalty after 61 minutes.

The final quarter was a tense affair in which both sides had opportunities, but as time ran out Carterton went on attack and was awarded a penalty on the stroke of full time. Ben Brooking stepped up and calmly sent the ball between the uprights from wide on the right, his seventh success in as many attempts, to give Carterton the title and spark wild celebration.

This match really could have gone either way and either team would have been worthy champions, but Carterton was the better team in the first half and held on when it mattered in the second period. Logan Wakefield was the outstanding player on the field, ruling the lineouts, tackling hard and running the ball strongly throughout. Inia Katia gave his usual whole-hearted performance, Tupou Lea’aemanu gained good metres with the ball, and Malakai and Isireli Biumaiwai were a constant threat through the middle of the ruck. In the backs, Daryl Pickering was always steady at the base of the scrum, Fiula Tameilau and Aseri Waqa showed glimpses of their ball-running brilliance and tackled hard, while Ben Brooking was an outstandingly assured presence at the back alongside his match-winning goalkicking performance.