Top teams lose on day of upsets in premier rugby competition
ARROWTOWN and Cromwell knocked over the two top teams and the bottom four teams fought out close games as the round robin of the Central Otago premier rugby competition draws to a close.
Arrowtown tipped over its topofthetable neighbour Wakatipu 1613 at the Wakatipu High School ground, after the game had to be transferred as heavy rain ruled out the Queenstown Rec ground. After leading 108 at the break, through tries to Aidan Winter and James Larsen, the visitors held on through two penalty goals to Connor Bissett to complete a very good win. Wakatipu scored two tries to Tom Ria and Danny King and Chris Young kicked a penalty.
Upper Clutha travelled to Cromwell and after being down 2210 at halftime, outscored the host 2417 in the second half to go down 3934.
Cromwell scored five tries. Ollie James bagged a hat trick and Warwick Chinny and Dane Edge scored the others.
Kane Dodds added four conversions and two penalty goals. Upper Clutha also scored five tries, through Scott Cunningham, Ben Morris, Jai Baxter, Ben Purvis and Tom Hudson. Josh Roberts converted three and added one penalty.
Matakanui Combined hosted Maniototo and led 125 at halftime. The visitors came back strongly in the second half and ran out 2422 winners. Will Stuart scored a brace of tries for the host side, while Dylan Eccord and Tim McCormick also dotted down. Jeremy Jenkins added a conversion. Scott Sharpin, Raymond Hollows, Russell Maloney and Ollie McLelland crossed for tries and Angus Gibb kicked two conversions.
Clyde Earnscleugh and Alexandra were locked at 12all at Molyneux Park after 40 minutes but the visiting side pulled away to take out the win 3631, in an entertaining game. Matt Griffiths (2), Charlie Tiko, Tai Kadivaki, Daniel Anderson and Jim Naquli scored tries. Jarnye Reid kicked two conversions and Matt Griffiths one. For the home side, Isimeli Cakautimi scored two tries. Michael MurtaghLoader, Sam Malcolm and Duncan Dykes also crossed and Rynhard Kruger added one conversion.
Netball
The Molyneux courts were covered in water for the start of play on Saturday, causing issues for all players in the match between Cromwell College A and Roxburgh Area School A.
Both teams traded turnovers for a good part of the first quarter, with players learning to adjust to the slippery conditions. Roxburgh broke through first, maintained a onegoal lead for the last five minutes and went into the break two up.
Cromwell came out firing in the second quarter and its shooting combination settled into a good rhythm. Its midcourt pressured the Roxburgh attack around the circle edge, picking up turnovers when the ball placement was not accurate enough.
Roxburgh positioned well to set triangles for its shooters, and goal shoot Mackenzie Prew was dominant when she got her hands on the ball.
A changed Roxburgh lineup took the first three goals of the second half.
Cromwell centre Laurel Williams’ combination with goal attack Claudia Patton grew and the two demonstrated great knowledge of each other’s game.
Roxburgh was was often caught behind the Cromwell defence.
Cromwell’s full court pressure in the final quarter, created errors by Roxburgh which were converted easily, and Cromwell won the the game 5629.
Molyneux had a convincing win 4316 over newcomer Dunstan B, and Dunstan A emerged victor in a physical encounter with Vincent, 3832.