Mataura defence refuses to yield

Mataura are the only unbeaten team left in the Southlandwide division two club rugby competition after the fourth round on Saturday.

Waiau Star made the long haul over to Mataura and were confident of earning their fourth win, but the locals were too strong for the top of the table clash and won 22-3.

The ball handling was of a high standard, considering the greasy conditions at Tulloch Park.

Twenty minutes into the evenly contested first half Mataura’s second five-eighth Tyson Crown scored and added the extras by converting his own try.

Waiau Star had the wind at their backs in the second half but the local defence was too good.

Tries to replacement flanker Callum Sinclair and wing Karl Deans in the fourth quarter, iced the game for Mataura.

‘‘The boys defence was outstanding, that’s what won us the game, and our attack was strong too,’’ Mataura coach Jason Bishop said.

‘‘This result is good belief going forward.’’

Crown, openside flanker Cody Waihape and prop Jonah Collins all had good games.

Pioneer were also unbeaten heading into round four, but were upset by Blues B 28-0 at Newman Park on Saturday.

‘‘Defensively we were a different team this week, and showed really good line speed and intent in the tackle,’’ Blues B coach Simon Frisby said. for our

‘‘Leading 6-0 at halftime we talked about playing the full eighty minutes and not letting ourselves down again, and the boys certainly didn’t disappoint.’’

Cody Harris was the pick of a very good forward effort from Blues B, and halfback Sam Muir put in a hard days work.

Marist B beat Mossburn 40-18 at Miller Street.

Mossburn manager Al Smith said despite the loss, his players produced a solid game.

A win was there for the taking, but a few defensive lapses allowed Marist B to pull away.

Willy Pears was outstanding in forwards for Mossburn and Grayson Hamilton did well in their backline.

Collegiate had their best chance to date of registering a win when they took on Balfour Lumsden at Lindisfarne Street.

But the combined club, also winless and desperate to get off the bottom of the points table, won the game 34-26.

Collegiate were left ruing some soft defence, but still took plenty of positives from the result.

‘‘It was still a massive improvement from last week and our forward pack was very competitive and the backline started to show some confidence,’’ coach Vinnie Lawrence said.

Collegiate’s player of the day went to Daniel Hawkes.