Monday February 22nd 2010

Article by Glenn McLean. Source: Taranaki Daily News www.taranakidailynews.co.nz 

Coastal made no race of the annual Dewar Shield seven-a-side rugby tournament on Saturday, winning all its five matches comfortably.

Stacked with representative players, including New Zealand training squad member Beauden Barrett and Taranaki players Brett Goodin, Nathan Hohaia and Paul Perez, Coastal thrashed Tukapa 36-0 in the final.

Its toughest game of the tournament came in the semifinal when it defeated Wanganui side Kaierau 19-0.

Coach Dee Luckin said he was impressed with his side's standard of play in winning the shield for the first time since 1999.

"Nathan [Hohaia] did a lot of organising on the field and I was really impressed with the physicality Nick Lawn brought to our side," he said.

"The win was another feather in the cap for the club, which we're really happy about."

Luckin said Perez's inclusion in the Coastal side was by no means an indication he would be turning out for the club later in the season. It was more a case of Coastal having a spare spot in its squad and Perez turning up on the day looking for a game.

Played in mild but blustery conditions at the Rahotu Domain, there was a clear gap between the top and bottom sides in the senior grade. While Spotswood United lacked the class of the top sides, its determined attitude brought reward when it won the plate final 14-7 over Inglewood.

In the bowl division, Southern triumphed 36-7 over Ratana A, a side that looked like it needed a bit more work on its fitness.

The under-20 division was hotly contested, with New Plymouth Boys' High School winning the final 14-5 against Inglewood. Boys' High made it a double for the day, easily winning the secondary schools final 30-0 over Hawera High School.