Feilding semifinals-bound
Feilding High School are heading to the CNI semifinals after a 26-13 win over Francis Douglas Memorial College in Feilding on Saturday.
The match was an effective quarterfinal with the winner guaranteed a trip to the top four. The win also means Feilding hold on to the Rick Francis Memorial Shield for a further week.
Feilding were dominant in the forward pack and that helped them find space out wide. They picked up three first-half tries to Ethan Mcquinlan, David Parker and Drew Wild.
Wild had a strong game around the park, but his goalkicking was
not at its usual level. He did not land a conversion all match.
Feilding led 18-6 at the break and were looking comfortable.
Francis Douglas kept attacking, but Feilding scrambled well on defence and kept their tryline clear until there was five minutes to go when they leaked a try.
Second five-eighth Ethan Hodgson and loose forward David Parker were in top form for Feilding. While Feilding had full control, they were guilty of periods of inaccuracy that they will need to clean up for the coming weeks.
But Feilding did pick up a crucial bonus point fourth try to Josiah Maraku. That meant they finished the season above St Peter’s Cambridge on the ladder. They will play St Paul’s Collegiate in the semifinal in Hamilton on Saturday.
Feilding lost to St Paul’s 26-15 earlier in the year, but have a much-improved starting side since then.
But first they have to tackle Manukura on Wednesday in a Hurricanes co-ed knockout match as part of the qualifying for the National Co-ed Top Four tournament later in the year.