Suspense to last whistle in rugby derby
The local senior rugby derby between Dannevirke Sports Club and Bush is always a strongly contested affair, as it was on Saturday April 21 at Rugby Park in Dannevirke.
In the first half a very entertaining game swung from end to end a number of times as players made breaks and when a team got into its opposition’s 22 it scored.
Dannevirke opened the scoring in the first half with a try to Lock Sam McNair but Bush soon retaliated with tries to Josh Elton and Ian Gimblett to take the lead.
Dannevirke replied with three good tries to 2nd V Thomas Kuggeleijn, halfback Sam Jones and centre Thomas Macais, forwards and backs linking well.
Leading 22-12 at halftime after a very strong performance into the wind, Dannevirke rested a little, especially after scoring soon after the interval to go 29-12 up.
Bush came back, with Sam Marshall-Wilson crashing over in a wall of Dannevirke players off a maul. The conversion closed the gap to 10 points and boosted Bush’s resolve, encouraged by a loud and enthusiastic crowd.
Dannevirke had its moments on attack but infringements kept it pinned back in its own half. The addition of man mountain Wiremu Wolland into the front row gave Bush a weight advantage and after several attempts at the line Scott Neil drove over.
The conversion missed but with 10 minutes to play it was a five-point game. Dannevirke won 29-24.
Both teams had their chances to score but didn’t and the largest crowd at Rugby Park in a long time was held in suspense right to the final whistle.