Hollows, Retter beat tough competition

TEGAN Hollows and Josh Retter scooped the major awards at the Dunedin club rugby awards at Kettle Park last night.

Hollows led Big River Country to the final of Dunedin women’s premier grade with some outstanding performances at the back of the scrum.

She normally plays hooker for the Otago Spirit, but is very comfortable in the loose forward position as well. Hollows scored three tries during a roundrobin game earlier in the season and collected a double against University in the semifinal.

Big River Country, though, was beaten 225 in the final by a starstudded Dunedin side. That lineup featured a host of Spirit players, including first five Maia Joseph who was another leading candidate for women’s club player of the year.

AlhambraUnion Fillies and Spirit halfback Georgia Cormick was also a nominee for player of the year.

Retter was a narrow winner in the men’s club rugby player of the year category.

He had stiff competition from Taieri centre Mitchell Scott, Southern captain Harry Taylor and Harbour and Southland outside back Viliami Fine.

Scott was brilliant in the midfield for Taieri all season, and Taylor helped inspire Southern to a surprise win in the final against the Eels.

But Retter accumulated the most points throughout the season. He is quality blindside flanker, but played at openside when needed.

He was clearly Dunedin’s best player. He is wonderful support player, a solid defender, excellent lineout option and one of those players still running as hard at the end of the match as he was at the start.

Southern first five Jack Leslie nabbed the award for the leading scorer in the premier men’s competition. He scored 124 points during the season, including 21 in the final.

The gong for the top try scorer was shared by Kaikorai midfielder Filipo WhitehouseOpetaia Tovio and Scott. They both crossed for eight tries during the season.

The women’s breakthrough player of the year went to Dunedin’s Atawhai Hotene, while Leslie claimed the Ben Smith medal for men’s emerging player of the year.

Fraser Hannon was named referee of the year and the club personality of the year went to Cam Burrow.

Dunedin and Kaikorai were joint winners of the Ainge Shield.

Veteran Southern loose forward Mika Mafi brought up 100 games for the Magpies during the season, and that achievement was acknowledged during the awards.