Team –Colts

Bar Manager – Meatesey

Lock Up – Lofty

 

DIV 1 – COURTESY OF THE CRFU WEBSITE

LINWOOD v UNIVERSITY

Linwood 32 beat University 29 

The match between the two bottom-placed teams in section one proved to be a highly entertaining game of fluctuating fortunes, which was only decided in stoppage time with home team Linwood stealing the game from a resurgent University.

University seemed out of sorts in the first quarter and fell well behind on the scoreboard early, but came back strongly and led for much of the match, only to fall behind just before the final whistle.

University’s lack of an accomplished goal-kicker was to prove costly as stand in kicker, halfback Finlay Christie, was successful only twice from five attempts, although one conversion attempt did hit the crossbar.

University looked a little lethargic at the beginning as the home team began with a strong running game, quickly setting the students back on their heels in the early minutes. Linwood lock Poasa Mapu was able to pick up a loose ball from a ruck in front of the posts and stroll under the bar after 4min.

This early set-back proved to be no concern and, on 8min, a well-orchestrated breakout from halfway featuring wings, Nic Brooker and Nigel Gibb, whose inter-passing drew the defence, and finally put bullocking No.8 Brad Hemopo over for the first of his pair.

Continuing to run the ball, Linwood’s attacks were making regular inroads into Varsity territory where hard-running second-five Louis Devery was proving to be very effective and difficult to tackle.

One of Devery’s forays took the home team close, where after a couple of forward drives, prop Tyler Hansen Kini was driven over for a 17-5 lead on 14min.

University took up the running game in the second quarter and, after a couple of breaks which foundered due to final pass handling errors, the students, from a midfield penalty, kicked for the corner. A clean lineout win and a series of well defended drives saw the ball spread to centre Braydon Ennor who crossed wide out.

Just a couple of minutes later another penalty saw a carbon copy in the same corner. Prop Oliver McCowan received the ball on the burst to cross easily. The conversion gave University an unexpected lead at the break.

University carried the momentum with them from the restart, keeping the home team contained and making regular inroads into Linwood territory, only to founder against some strong defence and give away penalties when close to the line.

Hemopo was a strong influence on University’s go forward during this time and he was the benefactor after a prolonged period of possession which finally wore down Linwood’s resolve.

A Christie box kick shortly after created confusion in Linwood’s ranks and possession was regained in the form of replacement lock Danny Berghan, whose upright running style had the student supporters egging him on in a 40m dash to the line. He bumped off an ineffectual tackle to score for a 29-17 lead with 12min left.

The remaining period was Linwood however. They found an extra gear and forced University to retreat. Caught on the hop University began to leak points. On 70min, flanker Jordan Stewart crashed through some weak tackles to score and on 72min, first-five Aayden Clarke’s penalty closed the gap to just four.

Maintaining their momentum, particularly through the efforts of Devery’s forceful runs, Linwood stole the game with a minute of regular time left when Clarke’s deft grubber behind the advancing students saw left wing Kalavini Leatigaga win the race to the ball in goal.

Only three points adrift, University gamely tried to attack from anywhere and it was no surprise to see Devery hold up an attack and force the turnover which ended the game.

For Linwood, Devery was “Mr Indestructible’’, flankers Stewart and Paul Garner had strong games, halfback Jinho Mun distributed well and captain-fullback Zac Southen was a steady defender at the back. Lock Mapu was mobile in the loose.

University forwards Hemopo and lock Caleb Aperahama were very prominent carrying the ball up and Aperahama was often in the backline. Brooker and Gibb made the best of their chances and Christie had a very busy game.

 

Women –

Win 95-5

 

Div 2 – Courtesy of Justin Rafton

The Yams have kicked off their second round much like they started the first, with back-to-back wins, getting up 29-19 over a strengthened Suburbs side in Hoon Hay.

With a couple lads being rested for precautionary reasons followed by some late absentees, the Yams again had to rustle up a backline and a bench a little more than an hour out from kickoff. This seemed to have little effect on chemistry or performance, as Oscar Nesbitt easily filled the shoes let by his twin back at fullback and Dan Hyndman proved a revelation at centre.

It was a very different squad that lined up in opposition than the Varsity lads had handled two weeks previous; a much more resilient Suburbs team with their eight hitting 100-game honours for their club. Their passion showed early, as what has become typical of Suburbs footy over the years, they flew up off the line in defense and made it tough at ruck times with flailing arms and legs into the fray.

The gameplan of getting the ball wide seemed to have been forgotten early, with the pill getting bogged down in midfield play after play. The only points that the Yams would get early were from a Jamie Newman penalty. Eventually though width was found as prop Justin Rafton, making up for a previous mishandle the set prior, made the final pass to winger Genki Arita. The Japanese import flew down the left side from about 60 metres out, stepping in three times, beating defender after defender to score under the post. The conversion was made by Jamie Newman, who finished 4 from 5 on the day with the boot.

The lads then went on the defensive for a near 15 minutes as Suburbs attacked time and time again off the fringes of the ruck. Hooker Jamie Verstappen and the back three of Torin Rensford, Ryan Lill and Fraser Bryant continued to put them on their rears, and steal the pill back. After finding no reward in close, Suburbs would answer back off a series of unfortunate events and miscues out wide.

From one such steal, Jamie Newman’s clearance kick from within the UC 22 did not find touch, however the Suburbs winger juggled it and the ball rolled just over the line. Yet the flag did not go up and the winger was able to break two weak tackles, put a chip kick through and recover the ball over the line for the try. After some stern word from the Captain Jew, this lit a fire under the Yams; they would strike back immediately off the ensuing kickoff with some superb backline play to the right with Oscar Nesbitt showing his silky moves to get over for a masterful try of his own making.

This footy brilliance continued into the second half. With the wind in their face, the lads kept ball in hand and were able to score, in this writer’s opinion, two of the tries of the year. The first came from a massive overlap to the left where a couple miss passes from Rensford then Rafton gave just enough room for substitute winger Tyron Sio Avia to get a little revenge against his old club and acrobatically dive into the corner.

Shortly after Dan Hyndman joined the try scoring party, showing pure pace to outrun near everyone on the park right up the guts, stiffing off countless defenders from about halfway out. Suburbs would score two weak tries late when substitutes came on, but the game was well in hand and the bonus point achieved.

Special mention in this one has to go to the locking duo of Nga Selby-Rickit and Jonty Duncan for a strong performance both with their carries, defensive work and in the air at lineout time. The halfy duo of Jaden Wallace and Jamie Newman excelled, helping to execute the gameplan. Josh Westland looked good, getting back to his old self with another week of play under him at the business end of the season.

Brett Menefy Players’ Man of the Match: Dan Hyndman, stepped up into centre and showed just how devastating he can be when he gets enough pill; so much speed to burn.

 

Colts Prem – Courtesy of Cullen Regan Simpson

It was a windy day down at Bob Dean’s up against HSOB for the second time this season, the boys were hoping for another win the secure our spot on the top of the bottom group.

With a bad start the lads were under our own sticks in no time, With our captain Josh Proctor giving us a stern talking to… Unfortunately his words weren’t enough and we had conceded 5 try’s to none before half time. The coaches put the hard word on during the halftime break and our strong midfielder Trent Tipene, among others stood up.

Tim Stone led from the front and pounced on the ball to score a try straight after half time giving the boys momentum, After a superb kick from from the sideline by first five Cullen Simpson the lads were pumped. Another touch from Cullen Simpson after a chip and chase led to Harry Ferguson scoring another.

Unfortunately the boys let themselves down after that and let through some unanswered tries.

Looking forward to taking on Linwood next week in a must win game.

 

Div 3 – Courtesy of Sef Erasito

It was a tough win for the Tigers this week, getting the big W against Otautahi 10-5. Otautahi are a team that have a lot of mana for their club and jersey and have good numbers that come out to support them at Bower park. We know what to expect of them, they have hard running forwards that run up the guts for 80 minutes, are aggressive at the breakdown and have some real sleek backs that know how to put on a step.

They scored the first try, not sure how that happened. One minute we had the ball, then there was a turnover, and then they were running down the side line. So in typical Tigers fashion, we gave the opposing team an early try. They almost got another one a couple of occasions, but thanks to the solid defensive effort of the forwards we managed to hold them up or keep them inches short. They kept themselves in the game by booting it in our half followed by some speedy chasers, but we managed to put together some solid counter attacking lead again by Luke Marsh.

Throughout the game we managed to get better at holding the pill for longer periods, and as our turnover rate dropped the backline produced some stunning magic which saw fly half Mike Nicholl put centre Hayden ‘HT’ Thompson through a hole and over the try line for our first 5 pointer.

The second half was littered in penalties from both teams but it was Otautahi that were continually on the wrong end of the whistle and had two players sent off with yellow cards for repeated infringements. Taking advantage of them being two men down the forwards put together some great running rugby marshalled by halfback Ethan ‘Piri’ Harrison and saw super sub ‘Danger’ Brad Dean crossover from a quick pick and go and fight his way over the line.

With team Kaumatua Shannon ‘Goldie’ Goldsmith on the sidelines, Ricky ‘Ricardo’ Barton showed his experience and leadership, leading the tight five to rucks, helping to dominate the lineouts and leading the defensive line which lead him to get the Player of the Day nod.

This week sees the Tigers battle Marist for a shield thing and step closer to the plate final at Ilam fields. A good number of supporters would be much appreciated.

Side note: Still waiting for Ernie to make an appearance. Word on the street was that the Viperettes were 5 points from triple figures and Ernie wasn’t too happy about that, so he’s gonna have his hands full in making sure that that never happens again.

Chur.

POD: Ricky ‘Ricardo’Barton

 

Colts –

22-19 win