Club Rugby Wrap Up

PREMIER

Woodlands 28 – Barbarians 3

Hughes Contracting Woodlands secured a victory 28-3 over the Eastern-Northern Barbarians at Woodlands on Saturday. The blustery conditions ensured that it was the forward packs that would have a greater influence on the game than speed out wide. As expected with a strong breeze behind their back, the Barbarians played for field position and their forwards were direct and physical in their approach. The Woodlands pack responded in kind, with James Douglas, Haamea Aho and the youngster Jason Rutledge (playing at blindside flanker) muscling up to blunt many of the Barbarians attacking expeditions. A breakdown penalty was converted into points, giving the Barbarians the lead 3-0. After an extended period camped in the visitor’s half, Woodlands created the opportunity for Jarel Hemehema to use his footwork, beating numerous defenders on his way to dotting down for the first try of the game. Trailing 7-3, the Barbarians again found field position. Woodlands continued to front and bring intensity on defence, with the visiting side’s only reward was an unconverted penalty goal. Both teams held the ball for long periods of time throughout the game, but it was Woodlands who won the battle and continued to with more finishing power out wide. Ignacio Costa, playing on the right wing scored a fine try after beating several covering defenders and the wily Dan Cavanagh tiptoed himself onto a lineout drive to sneak a try away from the forwards. Woodlands were pleased with the way their forwards fronted for the physical battles. Old Koro Dan Cavanagh made his presence count in the midfield and the ability of Lewis Ormond, Ignacio Costa and Jarel Hemehema to beat defenders helped to secure a satisfying win.

Pirates Old Boys 41 – Blues 12

The wild weather at Surrey Park didn’t stop a 9 try spectacle for those supporters who braved the side-lines. Blues fired first scoring in the opening ten minutes with a try to their centre. That kicked life into the home side who answered quickly with a couple of flash tries to POB’s backs taking a 17-5 lead at halftime. Second half saw the Hawks up the ante, with strong carries and good defence as a unit. POB racked up the points to make it 34-5. Blues pushed back hard utilising their time while POB had a player taking a 10 minute break off the park and 38 year old Sam Muir rolled back the clock and scored under the sticks. Hawks had the final say taking out the game 41-12 with all 7 tries scored by the backs and it was a very successful day for POB coach David Hall with his horse Maidonthebeach winning the last race at Ascot Park. Pirates Old Boys 41 (Tries – Ash McEwing, Lisala Halaleva, Cory Hoffman Grey, Mike Molloy, Sam McLachlan 2, Greg Dyer 3 from 7 conversions) Blues 12 (Centre, Sam Muir, Mitch Taylor conversion).

Marist 19 – Star 0

Horrendous weather greeted Kelvin Hotel Marist Premier as they took to the field at Star. An extremely strong wind blowing across the field meant much of the game was played on one side. Passing and kicking was difficult for both teams as chances to score points were few and far between. Marist managed to start the game well and left winger Alatini Vaihu scored out wide to take a 7 nil lead. Vaihu had a double shortly after to make it 12 nil to Marist at the break. The second half became a torrid affair played in the middle of the field with both teams not giving an inch on the defensive side of things. Vaihu found himself in for a hatrick after some nice lead up from the green and blacks. Full time score 19-0. A great effort to keep Star scoreless and that puts Marist top of the table and still the only unbeaten team in the Premier grade. Player of the day for Marist was Lio Tosi. The number eight carried strongly throughout the game getting Marist on the front foot and was also prominent on defence making some big tackles.

DIVISION ONE

Mossburn 12 – Riversdale 33

Riversdale showed their strength and experience on Saturday.  Riversdale are a team who have been strong performers in division one for a number of years and proved that again on Saturday, proving too good for Mossburn.  Lock Jordan Clive was Mossburn player of the day with some strong ball carries and also tackled well. Chris McNamee had a good game for Mossburn on the wing scoring two tries.

Edendale 13 – Waiau Star 12

Midlands 11 – Wyndham 6

Saturday’s weather conditions made for a torrid affair between two of division one’s unbeaten teams, Midlands and Wyndham.  After 80 minutes it was Midlands who held on for a hard fought 11-6 win.  A lot of the game was played in the middle of the field with each team not giving much away. The games only try coming in the first half via a charge down by blindside flanker Nick Egerton, with the Midlands forwards then getting to work with openside flanker, Juan Kyle eventually getting over the line. The teams went into the second half with Midland’s ahead 8-3, and after some good early work, Midlands were awarded a penalty with Ben McKerchar extending the lead to 11-3. Wyndham then went on to hold the ball for long periods, but Midlands defence was up to task holding the visitor’s out. Wyndham did kick a penalty with seven minutes remaining, to bring the score to 11-6 and add some late excitement, but Midlands were able to regain control of the ball and held on to it until the final whistle. Nick Egerton, Sam Brame (returning from injury) and Ben McKerchar had stand out games for Midlands.

Waikaka 14 -Te Anau 12

DIVISION TWO

Blues B 20 – Pirates Old-Boys B 14

Blues B and Pirates Old Boys B came head to head in what can be described as a good plucky performance from both teams in very cold and windy conditions at Surrey park. Blues B got off to a good start playing into the wind and applied pressure one the physically smaller Pirates Old-Boys pack gaining yards through Vili Kanonga and Tepene Clarke. This resulted in a Blues try out wide to Shaun Alderdice after a good break from Sam Hyde. This would be Blues first and final score of the first half as the Pirates Old-Boys side started to gain some dominance and hang on to the ball for long periods, resulting in a converted try close to the post to take a 7-5 lead.  Ten minutes later the Pirates Old Boys midfield found some space and managed to burn off the Blues defence and score under the post for another seven pointer. With the wind at their backs, Pirates Old-Boys were up for the challenge and looked to have the better of Blues going into half time with a lead of 14-5. The second half saw both teams again exchange pressure on each other, however with the weather throwing hail and gale force winds into the midst, mistakes started to creep into play for both sides.  Blues started to use the wind to their advantage and started to plug the corners to gain some much needed territory.  After a scrum was awarded close to the home sides line, Blues managed to dig deep and Lima Leiataua was rewarded with a try making the score Blues 10 POB 14.  Pirates Old-Boys enjoyed a good period of play only to turn the ball over resulting in Sam Hyde collecting the ball and dashing 40 metres to score in the corner to put Blues in front. The final try came to Blues number eight Lima Leiataua after another push over scrum.  This was a great reward for Lima as he was celebrating the birth of his daughter who was delivered only 12 hours before kick-off. Final score Blues 20 POB 14.

Star B 33 – Marist B 12

Hail, wind and cold temperatures meant it was a tough day all round for the AWS Legal Marist Development team. The green and blacks started well and were rewarded when second five-eighth Joe Gillies shrugged off several tacklers to get Marist on the board. Jordan Coutts nailed a great conversion from wide out. A tough and skilful Star side started to get on top in the second half but Marist never gave in having some good periods of play themselves and will be better for the game. Player of the day was Hamish Kennelly. Next week sees Marist make the journey to Queenstown to take on Wakatipu in what is sure to be a great chance for the team to bond on the way home.

Woodlands B 22 – Wakatipu Wanderers 19

Albion Excelsior 29 – DLS 5

Riverton 17 – Tokanui 36

Waikiwi 7 – Pioneer 43

DIVISION THREE

Collegiate 17 – Otautau 39

After a couple of big losses, Collegiate were up against it, playing an Otautau side that has been talked up and achieved some big feats already this year. What eventuated was against the script.  The game was a great battle with Otautau made to work hard for the win throughout the entire 80 minutes.  For Collegiate the effort and result from Saturday could be a season changer for the young, rebuilding side.  There was plenty of positives to take away from the match for Collegiate in what was a great team effort. Player of the day for Collegiate was veteran Jason McIntosh, filling in at fullback, the experienced campaigner wound back the clock and put on a good all round display.  Others who contributed were Thomas Faulkner and Cam Ward.

For Otautau it was a good win at Collegiate in rather average conditions. In a stop start and sometimes scrappy game it was a match the visitors were happy to take maximum points from.  For Otautau the loose forward trio of Jordon Cook, Chance Carran and Todd McDonald had outstanding games with the pick of the backs being defensive dynamo Jacob Ryan.  Debutant youngster Bailey Jackson, who came on in the second half proved he will certainly make the grade at senior level.

Mataura 63 – Balfour-Lumsden 8

It was a tough game for Balfour-Lumsden against a very good Mataura side.  Weather conditions were poor with cold showers sweeping the ground. Balfour-Lumsden started well and competed with Mataura for most of the first half in a fixture which got a bit testy at times but was extremely well controlled by referee Grant Dermody.  Will Hellewell scored Balfour-Lumsden’s best team try showing great speed making the score 8-29.  However from there on in Mataura took control with the final score being 63-8. Connor McDonald was named player of the day for Balfour-Lumsden after a strong game, Robert Smith was also a standout for Balfour-Lumsden putting in a great performance.

Ohai Nightcaps 29 – Bush Pirates 7

Bluff- BYE

• Blues 27 Wakatipu 0
• Marist 12 Woodlands 12
• Blues 29 Marist 0
• Woodlands 12 Wakatipu 10
• Marist 24 Wakatipu 14
• Blues 27 Woodlands 5

Marist

After a shaky start in the first round of the Women’s 10’s Marist focused on putting on an improved performance this week. The focus was to emphasise more on our run catch pass and working hard on defence. The team were very happy to come away with a draw, loss and win. A massive improvement to the three losses suffered last week. There was some impressive rugby played from Marist and the team is looking forward to the next round in Queenstown. Standout players for Marist were Tara Buckley, Katherine MacDonald, Jess Smith and Teilah Templeton.

Blues

Three physical encounters were the hallmark for the Blues Women at this week’s round of the Women 10’s competition played in cold blustery conditions at Marist. Blues draw saw it follow the previous week with game one up against a well prepared Wakatipu side. Choosing to play into the wind Blues forwards got stuck into their work keeping the ball tight and finding gaps through the middle with some devastating runs by Amy Rule. A late change at half back saw Lee Hodsell switch from the front row and it wasn’t long before she was able to despatch some good quality ball to the Blues backs who were able to cross to secure the game. Game two Blues struck a Marist outfit straight off the back of a win against Woodlands. A physical Marist tested the Blues defensive line which held strong providing opportunities for the backs to finish out wide with Kirsty Thwaites putting her outsides into space to score. The Final game against Woodlands again proved to be a physical affair.  Blues managed to secure a couple of crucial turnovers through Gina McKenzie and Bella Barrett which meant Blues could see out the first half with a lead and turn with the wind at their backs. A couple of tries in the second half were enough to seal the victory but credit goes to a good Woodlands side who came back strong and crossed the Blues line. A good three games of footy with the entire Blues team making contributions across the park.

Results and write up by Rugby Southland

https://whatsoninvers.nz/champions-football-tournament-fundraiser/