Richmond played the Otahuhu Leopards at Grey Lynn Park on Saturday 25th June, 12.45pm kick off. The pitch was wet and soggy even though Grey Lynn Park fields are sand based. 15 minutes into the first stanza Otahuhu scored an unconverted try in the corner.
20 meters from the visitors try line Sau Amosa threw a big dummy pass and ran through the defensive line. With 10 meters out Sau slid through on the wet and soggy ground with momentum carrying him across the try line. A missed conversion attempt with scores locked up 4 all with 10 minutes to go in the first half.
The very next set Sau received a short ball from Josh Sioasi with Sau sliding again in close to the posts for his second try. This time converting his try to take the Richmond team 10-04 at the half time break.
The weather continued to fall heavily making the ball slippery in the second half. Otahuhu received a penalty and attacked the Richmond goal line. Richmond defence held out 3 sets of 6 tackles. Otahuhu finally got through close to the posts which was converted, 10 all.
Richmond started to roll its bench with 20 minutes remaining with young Vae Kalolo coming from the bench. Even the big unit was trying to find traction on the wet field. Otahuhu played smart with depth kicking catching the Richmond wingers and fullback by surprise. Within 3 tackles Otahuhu were 10 meters out from the Richmond try line and they scored by the post and they got the kick , with less than 10 minutes to go it was 16 – 10 to Otahuhu.
Otahuhu made a few breaks down the side line, but our defence was very good as we were tackling ball and all. We had at least 3 sets of 6 and attacked our goal line but we couldn’t get through . Otahuhu started to play the ball slowly and we received a penalty in our half with 2 minutes to go . With a minute gone already we started to throw the ball around , with time up and last tackle we threw the ball around from one side to the other and the ball reached Waisale (our fijian import ) he scored in the corner hooter went score now was 16-14 to Otahuhu with kick to come.
Sau had to kick right on the side line just outside the club. There was silence as you can hear a pin drop. He took 5 paces back and 3 strides to the left , he walked in connected well and it went over down the middle.
Final score 16 all.
Special mention to our current school boy team coaches
Vae Kalolo
Sau Amosa
Edwin Pita
Player of the Day
Sau Amosa
Runner up
Waisale Ratudina
Next game Howick at Howick