All things Club Rugby for April 16th:

PREMIER RUGBY

Woodlands 57 – Star 24

With both teams missing some key personnel, Woodlands were very pleased to take back the Scruffy Butt Memorial Shield with a win over Star at Waverly Park, 57 - 24. Conditions were great for running rugby. Lewis Ormond, playing at centre was prominent throughout the match, making numerous breaks to create several of Woodlands tries and dotted down on two occasions himself. Jarel Hemehema was another back to impress, proving elusive in open space and also scoring a brace of tries. Rob McKenzie was a work horse in defence and a lightweight Ben Marr threw his body into everything. Unfortunately, injuries disrupted the flow of the game and Woodlands were gutted to have Rodrigo Costa leave the field on his debut with a suspected broken collar bone. It is hoped that a complication free recovery will allow all three of the flying Costa brothers to get on the park together again this season.

Marist 39 – POB 34

Well as the old saying goes “it was a game of two halves”. Kelvin Hotel Marist Premier took on Pirates Old-Boys at Miller Street in fine conditions with a slight wind. Someone must have forgotten to tell Marist the game had started, as a fired-up Pirates Old-Boys team scored three high speed tries forcing Marist into early Mistakes in the opening exchanges leaving the hosts stunned. Marist replied through a quick tap to make the score 19-7. The visitors scored another two tries to extend the score to 29-7 before Marist hit back just before halftime to make the score 29-12 at oranges. Whatever coach Marty Smith said at halftime worked and Marist changed a couple of personal and with Scott Eade back at 10 led Marist back into the game. They found their feet on attack and scored some well taken tries against a trying POB team. They then took a 3-point lead closely followed by capitalising off a POB mistake from the lineout and scored again. However, BOP didn't throw in the towel in and camped on the Marist line for last few mins and scored a try in the corner on the final whistle to end the game 39-34 to Marist. Marist will be happy to win but POB will know that they let one slip and will take a lot out of the performance and going forward they know they can be a force in this competition. Marist Man of the match was left winger Alatini Vaihu. Saturdays win makes it three from three for Marist, the only unbeaten side in the Premier grade after three rounds. Next week will see a tough game at Waverley Park against Star so make sure you get down and cheer the team on. Tries to Joe Weatherall, Aaron Miller, Keanu Kahukura (2), Scott Eade and Bryce Morgan. Three conversions and a penalty to Scott Eade.

Blues 20 – Barbarians 15

DIVISION ONE

Mossburn 44 - Te Anau 17

It was a much-improved start to the game this week for Mossburn as the visitors took it to Te Anau right from the kick-off.  Mossburn didn't get it all their own way however, going into the half time break only three points ahead 15-12.  Mossburn took full control of the game in the second half, scoring six tries in total including two to Ryan Carter and Josh Cavanagh kicking four conversions and two penalties. Robbie Selbie was player of the day for Mossburn having a superb game in the midfield with a huge work rate, making a large number of tackles and making several penetrating runs on attack.

Edendale 21 - Waikaka 19

As expected it was a determined Waikaka side who turned up to play at Edendale. The visitors put the home side under pressure at times with a well drilled forward pack.  Waikaka's backline moved the ball well throughout the game.  But it was Edendale who came out on top after 80 minutes thanks to a solid scrum and lineout which allowed their backs to operate.  Forwards Hadley McLeod, Adam Muir and Jason McKie impressed for the home side, while in the backs Bram Fodie directed play well along with McLeod Brothers (Jeremy & Devon) who both put in strong performances.

Wyndham 27 - Waiau Star 15

Midlands 36 - Riversdale 17

DIVISION TWO

Tokanui 34 - DLS 0

In warm sunny conditions Tokanui withstood an early attack from DLS, then went on attack and scored a well taken try. From the restart Tokanui took control and scored another good team try. Tokanui showed good dominance for the rest of the first half and led 22 - nil at half time. The second half saw DLS come out strong and put a lot of pressure on, but with strong tackling and a couple of lose passes from DLS, Tokanui were let off and came back to score 2 good team trys and get a well deserved win. The game was a good spectical with both teams holding control for long periods of play. Simon Van Rossum had a strong game and was well supported by the rest of the pack, while Ben Bukingham dirsted play well at first five, and Regan Gutsell made DLS pay with some strong runs. Try scorers for Tokanui were Tim Buckingham (2) Jack Lyders, Hayden Peters one each and Ben Buckingham 1 try, 3 conversions and 1 penalty

Albion Excelsior 15 - Pioneer 12

Blues B 26 - Wakatipu Wanderers 22

Star B 43 - Woodlands B 5

Riverton 37 - Waikiwi 34

Marist B 43 - Pirates Old Boys B 30

AWS Legal Marist Development took on Pirates Old-Boys and the game was a good spectacle. Pirates Old-Boys got off to the better start racing out to an eight-nil lead. A young Marist team sprinkled with the experienced and evergreen Chris Gibbs and Dom Rikiti started to find their groove and hit the lead through some good passing and interplay. Marist managed to extend the lead through some strong ball running in particular from forwards Stu Adam, Simon Dowling and first-five Tre McKenzie. The second half saw several tries exchanged from both teams. Full time score Marist 43 Pirates Old-Boys 30. Man of the match for Marist was G.P Van Rensburg.

DIVISION THREE

Otautau 29 - Bluff 24

Otautau displayed plenty of guts and determination to hold off a strong Bluff team at Bluff on Saturday. For Otautau Fijian weapons Nacanieli Tui and Manasa Tuilau were superb all day.  Captain Gareth Drake was also prominent  and led the visitors superbly.  Upfront Ash Harrison, Stu Kent and evergreen Lyndon Bekhuis set the platform with strong performances against a much bigger Bluff forward pack.  Bluff certainly possess plenty of firepower across the field this season and the rematch in the second round should also be a close encounter.

Mataura 72 - Collegiate 0

Bush Pirates 29 - Balfour Lumsden 14

Ohai Nightcaps – BYE

Women’s 10’s Round One

Woodlands 33 - Marist 0

Blues 34 - Wakatipu 0 

Marist 0 - Blues 33

Wakatipu 5 - Woodlands 27

Blues 12 - Woodlands 0 

Wakatipu 15 - Marist 12

Blues Senior Women’s

Cold but still conditions made for a good start to the Rugby Southland Women's 10’s competition on Friday night. Blues first opponents were Wakatipu who after a two hour road trip put on a strong showing and got better as the game progressed. Blues got into their work early and were soon on the board with tries to the Welsh flyer Sian Lewis, Grace Earland, Lee Hodsell and finished the game with a brace to Erica Stevens.  Defence was a strong point for The Blues team all evening with a huge defensive effort across the park.  Their second game against Marist started off with both teams applying pressure and after some tight exchanges Blues were able to find some space out wide and in behind a plucky Marist outfit with a couple of tries to speedster Cass Engler.  The last match up of the evening saw a strong Woodlands outfit camp hard on the Blues line, but tenacious defence ensured Blues try line was not breached and they worked their way down field to set up a 12 nil half time lead. That was the final result with the game being called off shortly after half time due to Woodlands suffering a couple of injuries. A great result for the Blues women who were led well by skipper Kirsty Thwaites.

Marist Senior Women's

Marist took to the field on Friday night on a fine but cool evening at Woodlands for the first round of the Rugby Southland Women’s 10’s. They improved each game and were unlucky not to pick up a win in week one playing some good rugby all round. All four clubs (Marist, Blues, Woodlands & Wakatipu) play each other in three x 20 minute games every round. Next Sunday April 22nd sees the tournament come to Marist so make sure you get along and support our Green and Black Women. It’s still not too late to play!! So if you are thinking about playing make sure you get along and play with this great bunch for the remaining three weeks. Some added numbers would be welcome. Trainings are Tuesday nights at Marist.