Celtic fends off late challenge
Celtic fought off a late comeback from defending champions Southbridge to get back to their winning ways in Wednesday’s Anzac Day round of Canterbury country rugby’s Combined Country Cup.
Celtic bounced back from their first loss of the competition against Saracens on Saturday to make the perfect start to their round six match, turning a Southbridge scrum and sending Paovale Sofai in under the posts, with Nathan McCloy soon adding another try to give the home side an early 14-0 lead.
A Jale Masi try for Southbridge made it 14-5 before Celtic’s high penalty count led to the sinbinning of Hamish Finnie moments before half time. But even starting the second half with 14-men didn’t hamper Celtic’s attack, with a try to winger Tatenda Matoramusha giving Celtic a 21-5 lead.
Southbridge did score a late try to Cameron Sheat, but fell short 21-19, with a last minute Shannon Donald drop goal attempt failing to steal the win.
The win meant Celtic remained in second place in section A, while Waihora maintained their place at the top of the leaderboard with a 33-24 win over West Melton. Lincoln’s 21-14 win over Glenmark also kept them in the top four, while Saracens were convincing winners over Ashley 42-27, and Ohoka got past Hampstead 32-17.
In section B competition frontrunners Darfield continued their unbeaten run beating Hurunui 31-14, while Rakaia – second on the leaderboard and also unbeaten heading into the round – lost to third placed Prebbleton 38-21.
Fourth placed Southern picked up a good win, 45-7 over Rolleston, while Springston was too good for Hornby winning 36-18, and Kaiapoi beat Oxford 31-25.
Methven and BurnhamDunsandel-Irwell (BDI) had the bye.
Teams face their third game in a week on Saturday, with Darfield’s unbeaten record in section B set to go on the line when they face Prebbleton, while Southern and Rakaia will square off in a repeat of last year’s Mid Canterbury Rugby Watters Cup final. In other matches Methven play Springston, Rolleston play Kaiapoi and Oxford play Hornby.
In section A, table-topping Waihora take on defending champs Southbridge, while Glenmark take on Ashley, Saracens host Ohoka, West Melton host Lincoln, and BDI host Celtic.