In round five of the BOP Coastline Rugby League Senior competition, division one leaders Forestland Falcons of Tokoroa took on newcomers Tāneatua-Whakatāne Warriors at Memorial Park, Tokoroa.
This is the first encounter between these two teams.
While Forestland Falcons are the division leaders, Tāneatua-Whakatāne Warriors are coming second.
But it was the locals who hit the try-line first followed by the conversion.
Forestland Falcons had home crowd advantage, but Tāneatua-Whakatāne Warriors showed up with supporters who encouraged their players over the line. The team itself only came together this season.
Tāneatua-Whakatāne Warriors captain Arthur Tonan said, "It's actually an old team that started back up after 20 years so all the old ones around the community in Tāneatua got us all together."
Tokoroa picked up the pace in the second half, inching over the try-line and showing the newcomers why they are the leaders.
In the end Tāneatua-Whakatāne were outplayed.
Forestland Falcons captain Jarrod Taylor More said, "The game went massive for the boys. We had a few injuries today so few of the boys played out of position they all stuck into it, we got the job done."
Tonan also said, "We came over knowing it was going to be a hard game because they are top of the table."
Final score: 54 -12 to Tokoroa Forestland Falcons.