ZingariRichmond Southern’s first scalp
SOUTHERN gained its first win of the season while Harbour again came up short as winter took hold somewhat in the Dunedin premier club competition on Saturday.
Taieri won the battle over its neighbour at Peter Johnstone Park, and Dunedin got home late against Kaikorai.
Southern ................................. 39 ZingariRichmond .................. 19
Southern burst out of the blocks and could not be caught by ZingariRichmond at Bathgate Park.
The home team had scored three converted tries in the opening 15 minutes and though Southern showed some nice skills on attack, ZingariRichmond was the master of its own destiny.
It looked to move the ball under the shadow of its own posts and too often gave the ball away.
That loose ball was gladly picked up by Southern, which proceeded to pick up points.
Southern was ahead 347 at the break. Powerful winger Josh Gordon helped himself to a hattrick of tries while first fiveeighth Louis Tili sneaked down the blindside to score a fivepointer.
The visiting team came back into the game in the second half and scored a couple of tries. It could have scored more but tended to push the pass too often and took the wrong option. The Colours forward pack gave it all but needed to move the ball more with greater accuracy.
The Colours were not helped by only learning of the unavailability of Highlanders back Tevita Nabura on the morning of the game. He was back in Fiji.
Josh Ioane played the second half for Southern.
Best for Southern was Gordon and skipper Kyle Harris, while lock Axel Hohneck got round the park. The scrum was a mixed bag from both teams.
Keenan Masina ran hard in the Colours midfield while Matt McCormick gave it everything in the forward pack for ZingariRichmond.
University ................................ 17 Harbour .................................. 15
University maintained its winning record while Harbour remained winless in a closely fought game at Watson Park.
The match was all locked up with two unconverted tries each at halftime and there was never much between the sides.
Harbour drove well and its loose forwards were strong ball carriers.
It went ahead about midway through the second half as it barged over but University refused to go away.
With time all but up on the clock, the students pressed on the line, and hammered away, as Harbour gave away penalties. Eventually, the pressure told and University pivot Roman Blackman spied a gap and went over to score.
University fullback Tom Morrison banged over the conversion from a handy enough position to win the game.
The wind made the game a bit of a lottery and goal kicking was not easy. Much of the game consisted of oneoff ball runners.
University hooker Ricky Jackson had a fine match while second fiveeighth Tyler Beary was solid throughout for the students.
Harbour lock Sione Misiloi gave his all as did No 8 Solomon Pole. Coach Ryan Nicholas, playing against his old team, straightened up play well for Harbour in the midfield
Taieri ....................................... 42 Green Island .......................... 19
Taieri always looked in control on its home track in the match against neighbour Green Island.
Taieri led 2512 at the break and though Green Island got it back to 2819 early in the second half, Taieri then skipped away.
It was the first game in nearly six months for Highlanders flanker James Lentjes and he took to the game like duck to water.
He was all over the park, never far from the ball, and played most of the match before being substituted.
Taieri shared the points around and used its forwards to rumble the ball up and Highlanders prop Aki Seiuli was a solid ball carrier.
Taieri right winger Marc Rooney helped himself to a brace of tries.
Neither side could get much momentum into their game and the match was up and down the field for most of the 80 minutes.
Green Island No 8 Josh Hayward was industrious in everything he did, while Peter Mirrielees got round the field.
Former Taieri and Otago captain Charlie O’Connell made an appearance off the bench late in the game, replacing his brother, Vinnie. O’Connell is working in Christchurch but turned out for his old club as he was back in town for the weekend.
Dunedin ................................... 37 Kaikorai .................................. 32
Kaikorai played with the advantage of a strong breeze at its back in the first spell at Bishopscourt and nailed four penalties through Gus Gray.
Dunedin, in one of its few forays into Kaikorai territory, had big prop Teague McElroy latch on to a loose pass and he showed surprising pace to scamper 20m to score a converted try to keep it in touch.
From an overthrown Dunedin lineout close to its own line, Kaikorai No 8 Patrick McCurran simply had to catch and fall over the line.
On halftime, Dunedin winger Rory Ward glided into a hole off a George Witana pass. He threw a great floating pass to fullback Josh McKay who used his extreme pace to dot down and cut the lead to 1914 at the break.
Early in the second half, Kaikorai winger Layne Opetetaia went over out wide after a sustained buildup to extend the side’s lead.
Then the Dunedin pack took control with a couple of tightheads thrown in, some solid and powerful ballcarrying which had the visitors well up with six minutes to go.
Then came the ‘‘coach killer’’ — in this case, the coach himself. Replacement prop and forward coach Bronson Ross threw an intercept to Kaikorai winger Jordan McEntee who gratefully ran 80m to give Kaikorai a onepoint lead with four minutes to go.
But the Dunedin pack resumed normal service and drove powerfully back into Kaikorai territory. Witana kicked two late penalties to win the game and Dunedin became the new holder of the Challenge Shield.
For Dunedin McElroy, Alex Ainley and fellow lock Liam Trainor were inspirational in the pack. Witana took all his chances and the midfield of James Te PairiSimpson and Solofa Silipa were solid on attack and defence.
For Kaikorai lock Sean Jansen was into everything, while Dan Pryor and Slade McDowell were extremely disruptive in the loose. Josh Renton was tidy at halfback and Matt Jones was lively at the back.