Challenge trophy goes west

The under 16 Powerade Challenge Cup has gone west – the Wild West that is!

The Arorangi Cowboys under 16 put up a strong fight against the Tupapa Panthers who has dominated the challenge since winning it outright last year.

But they met their match yesterday while the Cowboys rode into town, scored one try and rode away with the win 5-0 and the cup.

The game itself was trench warfare style rugby as the forward pack of both team lead the charge.

The game was scoreless heading into the second half where the Panthers learned that if they drew nil-all with the Cowboys, they’d still be the holders of the cup.

But the Panthers lacked drive and direction that is normally the trademark of this team due to a number of pivotal players, including Turoa Kamana and Volunteer Tokorangi, who are on national handball duties at the Youth Olympics in Singapore.

Nevertheless, Stubby Kamana worked tirelessly to create plays for his team and the Panthers forward pack dug deep.

But the Cowboys also heard the same comment about the draw situation – and this fired them up!

The lads from the west made their tackles, moved the ball around and generally looked to be more competitive in the game played at Tupapa.

And as the clock ticked down the Cowboys found their opportunity to pounce when one of the team’s smallest players slipped through a gaping hole in the Panthers defence line to dot down for a thrilled Cowboys team.

The conversion was missed but the try was enough for the Cowboys to lift the Challenge Cup and celebrate their great victory over the dominant Panthers.