Round 5 of the Goodyear Auckland Premier competition saw the Varsity Premier make the short trip along the Pakuranga Highway to Bell Park, home of neigbouring rivals Pakuranga.

There’s always an extra level of intensity and excitement before the two sides meet annually, and this meeting was no different. After a first-up loss to Manukau, Pakuranga came into the game on the back of two sizeable victories over Eden & Waitākere, and with the date versus Varsity being circled since the draw came out, Pakuranga was always going to get up for this fixture. On the back of a 4 game winning streak to open the season, Varsity too come into the game on the back of some fine form.

Conditions for footy were exceptional, as was the condition of the Bell Park #1 field, everything was in place for a classic Pakuranga vs AURFC game – and it did not disappoint.

Both teams started the match playing force back in a competition of field position, however, it was Varsity who would open the scoring through a penalty from First-five Tyrone Elkington from 35m to the right of the posts. All week, Varsity had talked about the threat of elusive Pakuranga fullback Jamie Spowart, and it was Spowart who latched onto a kick at pace to set up his number 8 Carter Hackett for the first try of the day. Kick unsuccessful, Pakuranga 5 – 3 after 15 minutes of play.

Varsity quickly hit back via another Elkington penalty to bring the score back to Varsity’s favour 6 – 5. This was closely followed by an intercept from Right Wing Brody Lam from 50m out to score under the sticks. Conversion successful, Varsity 13 – 5 after 20 minutes.

Pakuranga clawed their way back into the game through some ferocious breakdown work, turning Varsity over multiple times, and was rewarded after 5 minutes of play inside the Varsity 22m with 3 points to take the score to 13 – 8 at halftime.

Both sides would have felt like they were a good chance to win, with neither side taking the game by the scruff of the neck. Varsity looked impressive at times, shifting the ball to the edges and breaking multiple times, but 50/50 passes or inefficiencies at ruck time cost them crucial momentum

Varsity started the second half well, pressure on the Pakuranga defensive line led to another 3 points courtesy of Elkington, 16 – 8 Varsity. Pakuranga quickly found themselves back down the Varsity end of the field, and crossed next to the uprights, however, Spowart missed the additional 2 points from point-blank range to keep Varsity’s lead at 16-13.

Impressive rookie back Afa Molelei crossed over in the right corner in what was some good attacking football inside the Pakuranga 22m, Molelei eventually crossing over in the right corner with space to burn. Varsity 21 – 13. Both teams traded penalties to take the score to 24-16, however, it was Noah Foster who would split the Pakuranga defence open and linked with his backs before finishing off the movement in the right corner. Elkington added the important 2 points to take the score to 31-16 with 10 minutes to play.

Credit to Pakuranga though, they threw the kitchen sink at Varsity in the last 10 minutes and managed to cross twice to bring the score to 31-28 with 90 seconds left to play. Varsity managed to retain the kickoff and close the game out, much to the relief of the blue and white supporters.

FULL-TIME: Varsity 31 – Pakuranga 28

Standouts for the Varsity side was Fullback Sam Aitken, whose work rate and skillset put the Varsity side in good areas of the field. Locking duo of Kalin Felise and Pat Vaovasa combined well and were physical going into contact, Felise making multiple breaks in the first half. Winger Noah Foster continues to impress with his game-breaking ability. Elkington added 16 points off the boot.

Varsity’s next opponent is East Tamaki, who have put in some strong early season performances and have been boosted with a number of recruits in the off-season. Varsity will need to be better in this encounter if they wish to continue their winning ways,

Article added: Tuesday 31 May 2022