Late burst gives Clutha the win
South Otago sports roundup
Rugby
Clutha finished strongly to beat Crescent 4428 in their game in Kaitangata.
Crescent had Clutha under the pump early and mounted attack after attack.
It kept the ball for long periods and was rewarded with points.
However, Clutha stayed in the contest and the score was tight at halftime, 1412 to the home side.
Crescent continued to make inroads and turn possession into points. It was ahead with a quarter of the game to go, before Clutha hit its straps.
Clutha’s relentless energy and determination showed and it finished with a flurry of tries to knock the wind out of the home side and its supporters.
Clutha flyer Ropeni Fesilafai picked up a hattrick of tries. His finishing was superb and it was pleasing to see him back in full flight.
Heriot secured the West Otago Shield with a convincing 3417 win over Lawrence at Heriot.
The home side had the better running of the play in the first spell, creating chances that were taken both out wide and up the middle.
Its set piece was steady and the backs enjoyed running off the platform set by the big men.
Heriot went into the second half 175 ahead and had no intention of letting up.
Lawrence had its chances but errors led to turnovers, which were punished by the improving Heriot side.
Toko turned a halftime deficit around to beat Owaka 2724 in the Catlins.
Owaka played into the wind in the first half and controlled possession.
It held on to the ball, kicked when needed and dominated the set piece.
Toko used its limited first half opportunities to stay in touch, as the home side went into the break 1410 ahead.
Toko had more control in the second half, looking after possession and finding gaps around the ruck.
Owaka was guilty of giving away simple penalties and this did not help its cause.
Fullback Jacky Scott was inspirational for Toko. He scored a hattrick of tries, controlled the game and was his side’s main attacking weapon.
Owaka scored three tries through halfback Lochie Hannah, winger Matt Sinclair and flanker Ben Burgess.
Clutha Valley overcame a strong Clinton challenge 2517 at Clydevale.
Valley used the wind more effectively and its backs enjoyed some freedom with the ball.
Clinton had the wind in the first half but could not string phases together.
Valley controlled territory and possession in the second half and ground out the win.
Valley winger Max Duncan scored twice and was dangerous with the ball in hand.
Netball
School A pipped Hillend in the dying minutes to win a nailbiter 3029.
School had the better start, winning the first quarter 126 before Hillend had a very strong second quarter, limiting School to just four goals.
That left the halftime score at 1616.
With the injection of Paris Skipper at goal shoot and Crystal Wrigley at centre at halftime, the School team settled into its work with exceptional zone defence.
The School defence end of Kaya Laban and Brooke Storer picked up any soft passes into the Hillend shooters.
However, Sacha Cochrane and Rebecca Cootes (Hillend) worked their circle well, getting their share of ball through the hoop.
The scores stayed locked the same until the last seconds of the game, when School pulled ahead to win.
Zoe Taylor and Brooke