Match Report: Carterton vs Pioneer

By Andrew Dunford

Carterton 45 (Terongo Tekii, Malakai Biumaiwai (3), Fiula Tameilau (2), Ben Brooking tries; Ben Brooking 5 conversions) Pioneer 3.

Carterton qualified for a third consecutive Chris ‘Moose’ Kapene Memorial Cup final by wearing down a spirited Pioneer in the semi-final at Belvedere Road.

Pioneer dominated early possession and territory on a wet day in heavy ground conditions, but Carterton’s staunch defence during a scoreless first quarter served them well later as the Pioneer injury count mounted.

In the second quarter Carterton made just three visits inside Pioneer’s 22 but scored from two of them. Terongo Tekii - playing his 50thmatch in Maroon - was at the back of a rolling maul from a Logan Wakefield lineout take to open the scoring after 25 minutes, then when an identical move broke down after 34 minutes, Malakai Biumaiwai picked up and charged through several defenders to touch down. Ben Brooking had found his kicking boots and converted both tries to give Carterton a flattering 14-3 halftime lead having played into the breeze.

Pioneer attacked early in the second half but three strong tackles from fullback Ben Brooking kept them at bay. Carterton’s set piece dominance led to Malakai Biumaiwai running 15 metres to score on 53 minutes despite being tackled near the line, and when Daryl Pickering’s brilliant pass put Fiula Tameilau into a hole after 58 minutes the margin stretched to 26-3.

Tupou Lea’aemanu stole the ball at a ruck to create another Fiula Tameilau try after 63 minutes, then with a player in the bin a seven-man scrum pushed Pioneer off the ball to set up another attacking position from which Malakai Biumaiwai scrambled over in a pile of bodies to complete his hat trick. The scoring was completed when a chip kick into the in-goal area was brilliantly retrieved by Ben Brooking who scored and converted himself for a 45-3 final score.

Cameron Cartwright led a scrum which was on top throughout, Tupou Lea’aemanu made several ruck turnovers and was typically effective carrying the ball, Logan Wakefield completely dominate the lineouts and Malakai Biumaiwai ran strongly up the middle all day. Daryl Pickering was safe behind the scrum and kicked well to touch, Fiula Tameilau was always in the game on both attack and defence and Ben Brooking gave an outstanding all-round performance at the back.

All roads now lead to Memorial Park on 15 July for the grand final against the old foe Greytown.