Resurgent Tawa over-run Old Boys University for late win

Yesterday Tawa overcame a ten point halftime deficit to beat Old Boys University 42-38 in a thrilling contest at Nairnville Park.

Tawa centre Ryan Preston crossed over in the dying minutes to give Tawa a much-needed victory and win the Bill Brien Challenge Shield.

Old Boys University were under pressure right from kick-off and would lose Greg Mullany to the bin after five minutes due to repeated infringements.

Tawa would then score shortly after, when halfback Kemara Hauiti-Parapara burrowed over for the first try of the game.

However, Old Boys University showed their ability to regroup with tries to Morgan Poi and Sam Green putting them in front 10-7.

Ten minutes from half-time Old Boys University were in again when they went wide, with Joe Hill putting his fellow winger Gavin Parker away to give them a halftime lead of 17-7.

Within ten minutes of play resuming OBU would extend their lead to 24-7 with Greg Mullany running into the goal pads to score.

Just when it looked like OBU were going to run away with it, Tawa rallied with three tries in twelve minutes to retake the lead 28-24.

OBU would wrestle the lead back however with Greg Mullany and Morgan Poi both scoring their second tries, to give them a 10 point advantage with 5 minutes to go.

However, Tawa didn't give up and rallied again to score shortly after with hooker Sitiveni Paongo bursting clear to put Hemi Fermanis in to close the gap to just 3 points.

And then from a set play from a lineout Tawa centre Ryan Preston crossed over in the dying minutes, Tawa holding on for a 42-38 win.

Tawa Head coach Vice Saletele said he was proud of the performance his team put in to come from behind to win.

"To get a win here against a genuine semi-finalist is pretty pleasing," said Saletele.

“We just spoke about not panicking [at half time], we knew we had a slight breeze behind us so we knew if we pinned the corners OBU would struggle to get out of there”.

Tawa Captain Kemara Hauiti-Parapara says the win will give the team plenty of confidence moving forward.

"We've had a couple of losses so it was good for us to come back with a win, especially against a quality side like OBU," said Hauiti-Parapara.

“It gives us a good confidence boost, OBU is one of the top sides in Wellington rugby”.

“To get a win over them is awesome for us and the boys will take great confidence from it”.

In the curtain raiser, Old Boys University premier reserves scored a late try to beat Tawa premier reserves by 1 point, the final score of that game 25-24.

A short turnaround sees Tawa hosting Johnsonville this Saturday for the Carman Cup and for their first defence of the Bil Brien Cup, while Old Boys University play host to the Wellington Axemen for the Dean Gifford Memorial Cup.