Silverware stocked up
South Canterbury’s trophy cabinet is again full after winning a swathe of silverware with a 24-7 over North Otago in Oamaru on Saturday.
The well-deserved win saw South Canterbury reclaim the Hanan Shield, the Bill Direen Memorial Trophy, the Phil Gard Memorial Trophy and the newly minted Placemakers Challenge Cup. The visitors began strongly at Whitestone Contracting Stadium, scoring twice in the opening 12 minutes for a 14-0 lead.
The first try was a great individual effort from lock Henry Bryce, who charged down a clearing kick, regathered the ball and scored under the uprights.
The second try came after centre Pita Siale made a strong run, bouncing defenders off him, and offloaded to fullback Liueli Simote who stepped past the final defenders to also go in under the uprights. First five Faalele Iosua landed the two easy conversions and a penalty goal and a rout looked on.
North Otago climbed back and were unlucky not to score on halftime when the ball was spilt after a tap penalty five metres out. South Canterbury started the second half like the first and were rewarded when second five Zac Saunders scored from close range
after Siale and captain Nick Strachan made strong runs. Iosua had another easy conversion to make it 24-0.
Midway through the halfway North Otago rallied and finally crossed the line after a good build-up. Right wing Sione Kavatoe only had to run two metres after a wide pass found him unmarked and fullback Josh Phipps landed the sideline conversion.
The game then turned into an arm wrestle with North Otago going close to scoring at the end of the game but some great defence held them out.
Siale made some great metres and was hard to bring down, while Simote was elusive when he entered the backline.
Late replacement Saunders was into everything after Miles
Medlicott pulled out recurring neck injury.
Halfback Theo Davidson distributed well and made a couple of excellent runs. No.8 Siu Kakala had a big game and was into everything, while props Vaka Taelega and Tokoma’ata Fakatava had strong games.
Bryce is finding the transition to regular starter suits him while captain Strachan rallied his troops well.
South Canterbury coach Nigel Walsh said he was very happy with the team performance.
‘‘We took the opportunities and scored some very good tries. The boys were working hard for each other. It’s nice to get the cups back in the cabinet.’’
South Canterbury’s next game is against Buller, in Timaru, on Saturday.
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