Wyndham and Riversdale to meet in final
RUGBY: Wyndham and Rivers- dale will contest the division one club rugby final next weekend for the second year in a row. The top qualifiers Wyndham beat Ohai Nightcaps 14-0 on Saturday, and just four minutes down the road Edendale were beaten 17-14 by Riversdale.
Riversdale started their game at Edendale with high intensity and after 10 minutes attacking the try line their captain Robert Blatch scored the opening try.
Jeremy McLeod kicked a penalty goal for the locals after 15 minutes but soon after - the No.8 Blatch scored his second try.
McLeod’s next penalty goal reduced the margin to 12-6 at half time, and his third after the break had the locals right in the hunt.
Midway through the half Riversdale reserve flanker Morgan Will came on and scored his teams third try.
Edendale kept hammering away and replacement Adam Muir was rewarded with a consolation try in the last minute. Riversdale flankers Jimmy Napier and Nathan Bokser were standout performers and halfback Gavin Wilson also relished the conditions.
Edendale’s player of the day was their captain Matt Medley on the blindside flank.
Riversdale coach Garth Lindsay said; ‘‘it was our best forward effort of the season, and it had to be.’’
The wet conditions played in our favour. It was a game worthy of a final, we are extremely proud of the day’s effort but still pleased to be playing rugby for another week.’’
Edendale player Karl Laurence was pleased with the season despite the loss.
‘‘It was an awesome season from the Magpies, we were beaten by a very good Riversdale team. We wish them all the very best for the final.’’
Wyndham’s 14-0 win was played in trying conditions. They kicked two penalties in the first half.
Edendale were heavily penalised in this game for their rush defence, and when they had a man binned in the second half for being offside Wyndham drove the nail in the coffin with a try.
Wyndham manager Mike Henderson was delighted.
‘‘With our injuries suffered last week and two others absent all week with the flu it was a huge effort to get up. Ohai-Nightcaps write up earlier in the week added fuel to the fire and theres no doubt about it, ours boys outmuscled their forwards all over the park.
‘‘Conditions were slightly damp under foot which didn’t allow us to play our normal style of footy. Full credit to Ohai-Nightcaps, they were worthy semi finalists and will no doubt be back in full force next season.
‘‘Our boys will regroup on Tuesday and work on how we can tidy up some unfinished business from this time last season.’’ Nightcaps hooker Nathan Dickens and loose forwards Ryan Sharp and Cam Dawson got through a tonne of work. Dusty Wright had his best game of the season and Sooty Roberts, Todd McDonald, John Broughton and Dave Excell all added impact from the bench. Dan Low, Ben Hunt and Tyler Johnston played well in the backs. Coach Rodger Eade was impressed with Wyndham’s performance.
‘‘They deserved the win, they made almost no mistakes and every time we tried something we cocked it up, our line-outs were a shambles and we put pressure on ourselves shovelling on sloppy passes.
‘‘There was a lot of whistle and stoppages and I had to take players off to get them to the showers early before they died, wee Billy Elliot at first five was hypothermic after the game, his jersey weighed more than he did.
‘‘I’m very proud of the lads for stepping up a grade and being competitive in the first season back in division one. No trophies but hopefully the lads can stick together and have another crack next year. I would also like to thank all our supporters for the support on Saturday and throughout the year.’’