The Billy Goats today continued their hot run of form, thumping Oriental-Rongotai 48-12 at Nairnville Park.
With the win, OBU retained the Bill Brien Challenge Cup and cemented their spot in second spot on the Swindale Shield ladder, four points behind Hutt Old Boys Marist and ahead of Marist St Pat’s on points differential.
It was a win built off another hot start, with Maile Koloto scoring two tries in the opening 15 minutes.
OBU continued to control the game, dominating territory and possession, but Ories did a good job holding the Billy Goats out.
That was up until after the hooter when Koloto again got involved, breaking down the left wing to link up with Finnbarr Kerr-Newell. Tomasi Palu provided quick ball and the ball spread out to the right wing where Tai Neli scored his fifth of the season to make it 17-0 at the break.
It didn’t take the Goats long to get back into gear in the second forty, with Jared Verney breaking the line and linking up with Dale Sabbagh 45 minutes in.
Izzy Foai, Gavin Parker and Sam Coventry added to OBU’s try-scoring tally before Ories hit back with a couple of late tries, highlighted by a great long-range effort by Reuben Va’a.
It was OBU who had the last say, however, with Coventry strolling over for his second of the match to seal an impressive victory against an always strong Ories team.
It’s another cross-town foe who the Billy Goats take on next Saturday, travelling to Evans Bay Park to take on MSP who also sit on 21 competition points.