Clutha convincing winner of final
Clutha is the Southern Region champion for the fourth year running.
It defeated perennial rival Crescent 4325 in an actionpacked game at Balclutha on Saturday.
The host started well with a try to fullback Tyler Bichan after Crescent tried to run it out from the back.
This gave Clutha the start it needed and its confidence was on show early.
Clutha piled the pressure on the Crescent side, which did not have an effective exit strategy.
Whenever Crescent managed to hold on to the ball for multiple phases, its handling would let it down.
The home side was deadly when inside Crescent’s 22 and it showed when loose forwards Kurt Turnbull and Max Pennell scored almost identical tries as halftime approached.
Clutha winger Kane Teunissen scored another, before Crescent hit back before the whistle when winger Fesui Viliamu crossed for a much needed try.
Clutha went into halftime 248 ahead.
The second half started much the same as the first.
Clutha scored in the opening phases through winger Robin Fesilafai.
This would be the first of a secondhalf hattrick from the Clutha star. Whenever he received the ball in space he was extremely dangerous. Crescent brought players off the bench midway through the second half and they had an immediate impact.
They straightened up and ran with purpose, managed to hold on to the ball for longer periods and started to create chances.
Crescent winger Nico Burgess crossed in the corner to give the travelling side a glimmer of hope, but it was soon squashed as Fesilafai scored his second and third tries in quick succession.
Crescent finished with aplomb, scoring two more tries to centre Gene McHardy and halfback Norton Hill.
In the bottomfour final Clinton beat Toko 5017.
Netball
Redwyns was unable to field a team and was forced to default against Clutha.
The teams had been scheduled to play for the premier 1 Petrie Shield.
That left South Otago High School top year 10 team, Alpha, to play the School B team in the premier two competition.
The Bs won the first round of the competition, but lost last week to a firedup Alpha.
This week they played the Challenge Shield for the final game of the season.
Both teams took time to settle into their work and the first quarter was a tight wellfought game.
B shooters Tanisha Pyne and Brooke Walsh worked well together, putting the ball through the hoop.
Throughout the game the defence of Keely Hill and Sophie Ruffell pounced on any loose passes and missed shots by the B shooters.
At half time the score was close at 1716 to Alpha.
Alpha stepped up a gear in the second half, leaving the Bs making costly turnovers.
Alpha’s shooters Olivia Davidson and Maddie Deacon were on fire under the hoop.
Sharnay Henderson tried hard to secure turnovers but her timing was slightly off.
The final score was 3425 to Alpha, which deserved its hardfought win with strong, consistent play.