Dream month for new Stag

Matty Johnson has had a month he will never forget.

In a matter of weeks, Johnson has finished his Sport and Exercise studies at the Southern Institute of Technology, picked up his first provincial rugby contract with the Stags, and on Saturday played a lead role in helping Marist beat Star 26-15 to win the club’s first Galbraith Shield title since 2001.

The 23-year-old shifted south from Auckland in 2015 to mix his studies at the Southern Institute of Technology with a shot impressing in the Southland rugby ranks.

He initially lined up for the Midlands Rugby Club, but when they dropped down to division one the midfielder opted to make the switch to Marist to ensure he was still playing premier rugby.

Two years on he is the proud owner of a Galbraith Shield winners medal.

‘‘It’s been a pretty exciting month, everything has just been adding up now from the three years I’ve been down here. Getting to finish up my studies, winning the Galbraith Shield, and now getting to finish off the year with the Stags, it’s been a good ‘‘

Johnson possesses size, good footwork, and an ability to pass in the tackle and on Saturday he gave the Southland rugby public a further glimpse of just that.

Johnson was a key figure in getting Marist going forward early in Saturday’s final through some key breaks.

‘‘We had to start well because we know what Star is like with their push D and the way they come out hissing. But the boys fronted up with the forwards in the set piece and the backs were able to deliver as well.’’

As the celebrations finally start to settle at Marist, for Johnson his focus will switch to trying to make a mark for the Stags this season. He has played at centre for Marist in recent weeks but is just at home at second five-eighth.

‘‘Hopefully I can carry on this high with the Stags and hopefully get a starting position as well. I just want to try put my best foot forward and hopefully, it happens.’’