Hard-fought draw in Canterbury derby

The Heartland match between South Canterbury and Mid Canterbury didn’t really fire until the last 15 minutes when both teams threw everything at each other, but the match still finished in a 13-all draw in wet conditions at the Ashburton Showgrounds.

Despite retaining the Frank Timblick Memorial Trophy, South Canterbury will rue their errors. In the first 15 minutes South Canterbury were hard on attack before turning the ball over twice and conceding a penalty the third time. A fourth go had hooker Ben Hewitson running wide at the end of the backline but he couldn’t hold on to the ball as he made the final dive for the goal line.

Mid Canterbury then had their chance and a kick and chase was only thwarted by desperate defence when Mid Canterbury knocked it on over the line.

From the scrum South Canterbury cleared well. However, the lineout led to another attack from Mid Canterbury and they gained a penalty which first five Corey McKay duly kicked to lead 3-0 after 25 minutes.

From the restart, a good break from second five Joel Smith led to passes with the line open but again the last pass was knocked on. Soon after, South Canterbury had several attacking scrums and lineouts inside the Mid Canterbury 22 but they either couldn’t clear it fast enough from the ruck, got penalised for pulling it down or someone knocked it on from the lineout drives.

Then Vini Leatigaga returned a downfield kick from halfway.

He had support from Smith and then out wide Hewitson got the drive right as he went over the line for South Canterbury’s first try. The sideline conversion by Willie Wright had South Canterbury ahead at halftime 7-3.

South Canterbury went on attack from the restart in the second half and were rewarded with a penalty to Wright to take the score to 10-3.

Mid Canterbury then spent more time in the South Canterbury half and after several drives their captain, No 8 Jon Dampney, got over the line. A successful conversion tied the scores up at 10-all. A defensive tackle by Miles Medlicott where he lifted the player above the horizontal led to him being yellow carded in the 55th minute. A successful penalty from 40 metres put Mid Canterbury in front by three. Five minutes later Wright returned the favour to again tie the scores.

Next week South Canterbury take on Buller at home who were too good for Horowhenua-Kapiti this weekend, winning 46-31. Buller now sit in second place while South Canterbury have dropped to fifth.