University takes championship title
UNIVERSITY can call itself champion after recording a 2010 victory in the final at Logan Park on Saturday evening.
But its opponent Pirates really fronted — literately and figuratively.
The South Dunedinbased team had threatened to boycott the game. The defending champions were bitterly disappointed with the 6pm kickoff time which they felt was arranged without proper consultation.
But Pirates did not follow through with the protest and instead stunned University when they opened the scoring in the first few minutes.
Classy first fiveeighth Sheree Hume burst through a gap and went on a 50m angle run to the corner to score.
It was the first time University had trailed in a game all season. The team had been utterly dominant, amassing some very onesided victories during round robin play including two big wins against Pirates.
But the final was to be a much tighter encounter. Pirates were emotionally charged and used that passion to dominate the forward exchanges in patches.
They employed the rolling maul to gain traction on the leafcovered venue and battered away at the line.
But University stuck to its expansive game plan and continued to throw the ball wide at every opportunity. That presented Pirates with some opportunities to counterattack but also produced some wonderful tries.
Left winger Emma Hopcroft crossed in the corner after her side managed to flank its opponent.
Player of the match Georgia Mason also scored out wide to give her side a 105 lead at the break.
The openside flanker collected more mud than anyone else and tackled herself into the ground early in the second period when Pirates were camped in the 22.
Eventually, makeshift centre Biddy Sefton crashed over to level the score.
But Mason responded midway through the half when she got the ball with 20m to run and bumped off a desperate tackler to score in the corner.
Replacement winger Rian Sanerive sealed the victory late in the match when Pirates muffed a clearance. The ball went straight to the evasive outside back, who sprinted in from about 25m out.
University coach Jamie Angus felt the tension leave his body when the winger went over.
‘‘I’m relieved. It was a hell off a lot tighter than we expected,’’ he said.
‘‘I know it is a final but Pirates brought a real intense effort.
‘‘Good on our girls for stepping up and holding on during all the pressure.
‘‘But we stuck to our structure and basically backed ourselves.’’
Angus said Pirates’ threats to boycott the game had been a distraction.
‘‘I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t. But the girls realised their job was to play rugby and they didn’t let any of the offfield drama affect them.’’
Mason was the standout but Rosie Kelly had a tidy game at first fiveeighth and got good service from halfback Rosie BuchananBrown.
Winger Trisha Hopcroft was an everpresent danger on the right.
For Pirates, tryscorers Hume and Sefton had strong games and experienced flanker Vanessa MacDonald was busy. Fullback Brigid Corson was called on to make some wonderful covering tackles.