Premier

Pirates Old Boys 25 – Marist 21

Both Kelvin Hotel Marist and Pirates Old-Boys went into Thursday’s clash down on players with both sides suffering several injuries and unavailabilities over the past couple of weeks.

Marist started the better of the two when Jack Nally popped a nice offload up to Will Murray who bust the line and found Ben Fotheringham, who ran 20 metres to open the scoring.

Pirates Old-Boys were quick to reply when a Greg Dyer break was finished off by Mike Molloy to make it 7 all. Territory and possession from Pirates led them to exert plenty of pressure on the Marist scrum, which resulted in a penalty try to help take a 14-7 lead. A further three points gave them a handy 17-7 buffer.

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Marist struck a much-needed blow just before halftime when number eight Pasilio Tosi, as he has done in glimpses all season, showed everyone what he is capable of when he sent multiple defenders flying out of the way to score a fine try handy to the posts. Jeremy “eyes” Boyle added the extras to take us to halftime, Marist 14 Pirates Old-Boys 17.

Marist again started well and got the reward when they crossed after a good build up to take a 21-17 lead. That was to be the last of Marist’s scoring though. Pirates Old-Boys bust Marist out wide and finished in style to take back the lead 22-21. A further three points from Greg Dyer’s boot took the score to 25-21. Marist had a chance in the final minutes of the match and got within five metres of the line however the ball was lost, and Pirates Old-Boys picked up a valuable win as they try to book a place in the semi-finals.

A losing bonus point ensured Marist are now guaranteed a top two finish and are on the same points as Woodlands in the competition standings with just two weeks left to play in the round robin.

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Next weekend see’s Marist back at home against Star.

Blues 25 – ENC Barbarians 18

It was a real test of our defensive systems and to be down to 13 men and not give away a try is great reward for all the hard work the boys have put in. Flatmates Ethan De Groot, Ben Paulin and Mitch Taylor had strong games on attack and defence and it was great to celebrate Ben Soper’s 50th game with a win.

Star 32 – Woodlands 53

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Woodlands came out on top 53 -32 in a high scoring and entertaining game. While the defence optional approach was a frustration to coaching staff, it was pleasing to see Woodlands string phases together and identify space. Joe Walsh, Cole Williams and Aleki Morris were strong around the park and Jackson Ormond made a positive impression with his support play and communication from fullback. Awesome to see players stepping up from the development team and putting in a quality performance. A home game against the Baa Baas and a farewell evening at the Woodlands Tavern beckons this Saturday.

Division One

Midlands 38 – Waiau 5

Mossburn 0 – Wyndham 26

Edendale 34 – Te Anau 27

Waikaka 31 – Riversdale 8

Division Two A

Blues 34 – Pioneer 18

Star 31 – Albion Excelsior 20

Waikiwi – Wakatipu to be played 26th June

Division Two B

Woodlands 32 – DLS 22

Woodlands led by Southland veteran Jason Rutledge were too good for a slow starting DLS side winning 32 – 22

Tokanui WBD – Marist LBD

AWS Legal Marist Development unfortunately had to default to Tokanui due to a lack of numbers on Saturday, however will be back on deck when they play at Miller Street against Riverton, kick off for that game is 1.30pm.

Riverton 36 – POB 22

Division Three

Otautau 41 – Balfour/Lumsden 5

Balfour/Lumsden travelled to Otautau on a nice day for rugby with the intention of inflicting Otautau with their first loss of the season but it wasn’t to be. Otautau started well and had the first try on the board after only 2 minutes then an even tussle went on until Otautau scored again just before halftime making the score 10 – 0. Otautau started the second half well and banked 3 tries in the first 14 minutes and then finally Balfour/Lumsden got some reward after strong forward play halfback Josh Taia scored after 22 minutes. Otautau scored 2 more tries in the last 10 minutes. Balfour/Lumsden will be very disappointed to have missed so many scoring opportunities but full credit has to go to the Otautau defence. Stew Gilkison was named player of the day closely followed by Chris Ponga and Josh Taia.

Ohai-Nightcaps 24 – Bluff 62

Ohai nightcaps hosted Southport Bluff on Saturday in perfect rugby conditions. Bluff came away with first points getting through the line with ease and to take the momentum. The home side bounced back with a try of their own with some hard running from their big forward pack. From then on, Bluff piled on the points to play some very fast-paced footy to take a commanding 43-12 lead at oranges. The second half came, and Bluff brought on some fresh legs and got immediate impact off the bench. A double from number 8, Cornelius Cuthers who led the forwards alongside openside flanker Shannan Kapene, where he the showed some barnstorming carries to get the front foot on Ohai/Nightcaps. Bluff’s backline were on fire for most of the game with a hat-trick to Houston TeTai and Ra Kapene sinking 6/6 from the boot. Some hard running from the Bluff forward pack came with good structure to give Sonny Rangitoheriri nice clean ball for the backs. Bluff were rewarded with a big win off the back of some hard work. Standout players for Bluff were Ra Kapene, Houston Tetai and Cuthers.

Mataura 83 – Central Pirates 0

Collegiate – BYE

Under 18’s

Lazer Electrical Gore 1st XV travelled to Winton to play Central Southland College and had the hardest game of the season so far. Gore scored a converted try early but CSC came out prepared and showed a lot of commitment in defence to then hold Gore scoreless for the next 20min. Cam Miller slotted a penalty 25min in to take Gore out to a 10nil lead before CSC applied some of their own pressure resulting in a missed shot at goal with 10 to go in the 1st half. Gore then swung back on attack to close out the first with another converted try to go into half time 17-0 up. The second half started the same as the first with CSC defending hard then using a very effective front row to pressure the Gore line with strong running which required some equally determined Gore defence to contain. As the second progressed the pressure added up and Gore were able to find some gaps and bagged another 4 tries with CSC getting a good one back with a well-deserved team try to end the game 41-5. Stand out performances for Gore were to captain Jacob Harrex again with his typical hard running, Mykel Sleeman at hooker who represented Gore really well in a very tough battle in the front row and Cameron Miller in the 10 jersey with another great display. Gore’s next game is against James Hargest.

Source: Rugby Southland

Rugby Southland – Club Rugby Write Up 22nd June

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