Cambridge on track for Gwynne Shield honours
to 14 men, Waikato first-five Robertson’s quick bit of thinking from a restart saw him grubber and regather as University drove into Hautapu territory.
And Eli Atkins’ great pick up and reach to the line saw University reduce the deficit to 13-11.
University edged in front 14-13 thanks to another Robertson penalty.
Then Hautapu were reduced to 14 again, University sensed an opportunity to strike – and they did, as Robertson scored in the corner.
And with news of Melville pull- ing clear of Otorohanga, University were on the verge of the last four until Sam Tupou’s late try unbelievably put Hautapu 20-19 ahead.
But with a minute left, Robertson hobbled off after taking several painful blows, meaning Richards-Coxhead stepped on to the field as University pushed to save their season.
And inside Hautapu’s 22, they won a penalty right in front of the posts that Richards-Coxhead popped over to send them into the top four in the most dramatic circumstances. The rugby stars of the future are in Cambridge this week to compete in the Gwynne Shield rugby tournament.
The competition kicked off on Sunday and runs through to July 17, hosted at Hautapu Park.
Host team Cambridge played its first game of the tournament on Monday, defeating Matamata, 27-5.
Cambridge then went on to defeat Tokoroa Tritons 29-0, and notched up a win against Hamilton Wasps, 10-0.
The tournament includes teams from Hamilton, Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Matamata and Tokoroa.
During the tournament week, teams will play 10 games. Each game will be 40 minutes long, with two 20 minute halves.
The teams are made up of players from local children in school years 7 and 8.
The round robin tournament is a weighted tournament where all players must be under 57kg.
R J Gwynne donated the Shield in 1921 for play between Waikato Primary Schools. It is only in recent times it has been a competition for sub-union representative teams. Up until 1941, there were teams such as Marist, Whitiora Primary School, Southwell and Morrinsville District High School in the competition.
Teams from Waipa and Mangakino have also won the Shield. In 1974 there was a South Waikato team and just two Hamilton teams playing against other Waikato sub-union of Matamata, Cambridge, Te Awamutu and North Waikato. In 1975 South Waikato was divided into the two teams, Putaruru and Tokoroa. Hamilton was asked to enter a third team, Hamilton South.