Old Boys University have suffered their second loss of the season, going down 42-38 to a fast-finishing Tawa outfit at Nairnville Park on Wednesday.
The Anzac Day clash saw plenty of fast-paced rugby with 12 tries being scored on the day, but it was Tawa who were able to score when it mattered most, with a PJ Iosefo break leading to Luke Cummings’ match-winning try in the 78th minute.
OBU led by as much as 17 points in the second half, but the Iosefo-inspired Tawa team were great in their comeback, scoring five second half tries to snatch the victory at Nairnville.
It wasn’t an ideal start for the Billy Goats with Greg Mullany getting sent to the sin bin just six minutes into the game for OBU’s repeated infringements on their goal line. Tawa were quick to capitalise, with their man advantage leading to a try just one minute after Mullany’s binning.
Morgan Poi struck back almost immediately, strolling over for OBU’s first try of the afternoon, before making a break shortly after Mullany’s return to the field to set up Sam Green for a 10-7 lead.
A simple hands play across the backline led to a Gavin Parker try and a 17-7 half-time lead and Mullany added to that scoreline shortly into the second forty, sidestepping his way over from close range.
It was a quick response from Tawa, however, with replacement Tony Coburn dotting down, followed by a try to the impressive Iosefo.
Tawa’s Kalim Kelemete then scored to give Tawa a 28-24 lead, though Mullany and Poi both scored their second tries of the game to take back a 38-28 advantage.
It wasn’t to be for OBU though, as two late Tawa tries saw the visitors leave Nairnville with the win.
The Billy Goats’ two bonus points from today see them retain sole ownership of second spot on the Swindale Shield ladder, now six points behind Hutt Old Boys Marist.
Next up for OBU are the 12th place Wellington Axemen. That match is on Saturday 28 April at Nairnville Park at 2.45pm.