Premiers stunned on Easter Saturday
Our Premiers, along with the supporters on the sideline, left Evans Bay Park stunned after a late resurgence from Upper Hutt saw them drop their third game from five.
After weathering an early attack from the visiting side, trailing 3-16 after 24 minutes, the Red Machine stirred into life clawing back two tries to close the gap to 15-16 at half time.
The following 33 minutes were all red as our forward pack earned ascendancy at scrum time and the momentum was going all our way. A 50th minute penalty and a 65th minute try to Sefo Aukusitino put the team ahead by an eight point buffer and the team looked sure to kick on to take the win.
But the Rams weren't ready to lie down. A try in the corner in the 73rd minute, with a challenging conversion nailed, the gap was closed to 25-23. Hutt muscled their way back into our half and earned a penalty in front from 35 metres. Former MSP player, Tyler Tane obliged and full time was called. Final score 25-26 to Upper Hutt.
The side will travel to Nairnville Park next week for arguably a must win game against Old Boys-University who also find themselves out of the top seven.
It was a different story in the early game on Evans Bay as our Premier Reserves kept rolling, winning their 20th consecutive Harper Lock Shield match with a 21-0 win over previously unbeaten Upper Hutt.
Our Premier Women had a tough game at Petone Rec, going down 5-39 to Petone.
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