
The go forward from the forwards was of high quality enabling the best opportunities from our half back and stand off combination of Josh Mana & Tama Gurthrie to continue their fine form from last weeks game against Glenfield greyhounds. The first half started slow with Otara scoring first , we then follow suit with a try to Faavae Toloua in the corner and Josh Mana slotting the conversion from the sideline to give us the lead 6-4 with only 15 minutes gone. Otara scored again out wide and then we scored two more tries to take us to the half time with a 16-8 lead. We had the wind in the first half so we were now playing against the wind and running up hill. Otara started strong scoring two tries in the first 15 minutes of the season half. We then scored two unconverted tries through some good finishing tries by Cale Baker & Josh Siaosi both scoring in the corner. With 20 minutes left in the game Richmond were leading 24-16. Otara found there second wind and went on a scoring spree scoring four tries with great momentum taking the lead 32-24. With our reserves bench down to only two players and with 10 minutes remaining Richmond managed to get a roll on with a couple of penalties. Momentum started to change thanks to a bustling run and unconverted try from prop forward Hector Purcell taking the to score 32-28. With five minutes remaining Richmond managed to force repeat sets and penalties to go our way and was back in Otara's half with merely minutes left in the game. With one set of six left Richmond had to use this well. On the back of four tackles Josh mana received the ball on the final tackle and kicked diagonally behind Otara's defence and this was regathered by a wide running Aaron Nootai (pictured) who scored under the posts this made it 32-32 and with time up the last act of the day went to Tama Guthrie who converted the try to allow one of the years upsets and the Richmond Premiers to come away winning 34-32.
PLAYERS OF THE DAY: Mia Tautiga & Bronson Harden.
Next week we play Mangere East Hawks at Grey Lynn Park. We would love your support as we look to continue our winning streak to push us in to the top four. ALL DAY DOGGIES!!!