Metro overcome odds in payback win over Bush SC
By Jared Smith
A 14-man St Johns Whanganui Metro denied the MRU Colts division’s comeback kings Bush SC, starting the Top 5 group with a thrilling 33-31 win at the Kaierau Country Club on Saturday.
Bush have spent a campaign coming back at teams, never out of it, as witnessed by their 25-19 victory over Metro in the first round on May 14.
But in the return match, it seemed like they would have their work cut out for them as in the first 15 minutes Metro scored at will, taking a big lead, until losing a player to a red car in the 20th minute.
Metro then had to absorb most of the rest of the half defending their own line, but coach Mark Cosford said the fire was there.
“We just held them up, flipped them on their backs, and pushed them out.”
Metro took a 28-12 lead into halftime, but had further problems when playmaker Joey Devine had to depart with a torn ligament, after slotting three conversions.
Bush rallied in signature style, but Metro would not be denied.
“It was a close one in the end,” said Cosford.
“They come back with 10 minutes to go, 31-28, and we got a try in the last five minutes.
“The guys had to dig deep and they pulled through – the defence they showed was unbelievable.
“They’ve got the want, we’ll just tidy up the execution.”
Home team tries were among the pack from lock Joe Oakman, loose forwards Lucas Reardon, Kane Hinga, and Isaac Jordan, as well as Devine’s younger brother Sebastian,
Petera Koro took over from Joey Devine to add a conversion, while fullback Justin Ferguson was named player of the day.
There was an upending in both MRU Top 5 games because as well as Metro beating the previously 7-1 Bush SC, their old rivals Feilding Yellows, who had a 4-4 record, upset the undefeated top qualifier College Old Boys RFC 36-24.
The Yellows were the only team in the Top 5 group that Metro defeated during the first round, winning 38-22 on May 28.
Cosford knows the key to making the semifinals will be beating them again in just over a week at Johnston Park, as well as flipping at least one other result against College or Te Kawau.
“That’s one off the list already [with Bush].
“We’ll just keep pushing hard and hopefully they get through.”
Metro have the bye this coming Saturday, but with the squad now growing, they were all keen to have their Tuesday-Thursday training sessions this week, as competition for places heats up.
