Rugby: Alhambra-Union claims club banner (+ full report)

Alhambra-Union prop Dane Maraki scores the first try in the Dunedin Speight's championship shield final at Carisbrook on Saturday. He is congratulated by captain Matt Clutterbuck. Alhambra-Union won 26-10 to claim its second title in three years. Photo by Gerard O'Brien.

Alhambra-Union played risk-free rugby to beat Dunedin 26-10 to win its second banner in three years.

The old Alhambra and Union clubs joined forces in 1987, and Alhambra-Union played its first final in 1990 when it was beaten by Dunedin 19-6.

It made certain of winning the Speight's championship shield at Carisbrook on Saturday with a disciplined display of wet-weather rugby.

The Reds led 9-3 at the break and applied a stranglehold in the second spell.

It played simple and sensible rugby in drizzly conditions that made the ball difficult to handle.

Alhambra-Union has a fleet-footed backline, but it was not a day to risk attacking from wide out.

It was a matter of playing for territory and forcing Dunedin into mistakes.

"We just wanted to get the ball down their end, to apply pressure and capitalise on their mistakes," Alhambra-Union captain and openside flanker Matt Clutterbuck said.

His players did this effectively by scoring points when they were within range when Dunedin made mistakes.

Luke Reihana had a perfect day with his boot, kicking five goals from five attempts.

Dunedin kicker Tom Halse, the hero of the semifinals, had an off day and kicked only one from three. Alhambra-Union scored two second-half tries which both came from Dunedin mistakes inside its own 22m.

The first, after 10min, put Al-Union outside the converted try range and gave it a 16-3 lead, which forced Dunedin to play catch-up rugby.

The ball went loose behind the advantage line, was kicked through, and prop Dane Maraki won the race to fall on the ball over the line.

The second try came 38min after the break.

Prop Scott Manson grabbed the ball when it popped out of the side of the ruck and ran 10m to score under the posts.

A fired-up Dunedin pack attempted to exert its dominance on the game from the start with an effective pick-and-go surge that gained 25m.

It was powerhouse rugby designed to upset Alhambra-Union's pattern and give Dunedin dominance in the forwards.

Captain and No 8 Scott McKee was in fiery form with his strong tackling and his driving runs that tested the Alhambra-Union defence.

The bird drive also showed the skills of flanker Chris Damsteegt and front row strong men Will Henry and Jason Macdonald.

It was only the skill of Clutterbuck, who made six tackles during this phase and grabbed the ball when it finally went loose, that stopped Dunedin from scoring from this first attack of the game.

Dunedin had put down its marker peg and it needed a swift response from Alhambra-Union or Dunedin would have taken control of the game.

Clutterbuck's calming influence helped his team get back into the game.

"We had guys who had not played at this high level of rugby before and were a bit nervous and unsettled," Clutterbuck said.

"Dunedin had the experience of Macdonald and Keith Cameron in the front row, who were used to it.

"But once the nerves settled, we were able to play our own game."

The confidence grew and midway through the spell Alhambra-Union was able to push Dunedin back in the scrum.

Dunedin always looked dangerous with its rolling maul and its forward drives, but the ball eventually slipped out of its grasp and Alhambra-Union was able to regain the initiative.

Halfway through the second spell, Casey Stone dropped a goal, which looked to have made the game safe for Alhambra-Union when it led 19-3.

He made a silly mistake when he didn't force the ball over the line with five minutes left and Sam Anderson-Heather scored with a drive from the ensuing line-out.

But the try came too late for Dunedin.

Lock Fili Koloamatangi had a powerful game for Alhambra-Union and made 12 clean takes in the line-out.

John Fahey did the same job for Dunedin with seven clean takes.

The defence of both teams was almost bulletproof, with the tries coming from mistakes behind the advantage line.

Alhambra-Union wing Karne Hesketh, the best attacking back on the paddock, had limited chances but he did make two dangerous forays into the Dunedin 22m in the first spell.

Alhambra-Union 26 (Dane Maraki, Scott Manson tries; Luke Reihana 2 conversions, 3 penalty goals, Casey Stone dropped goal), Dunedin 10 (Sam Anderson-Heather try; Tumua Ioane conversion, Tom Halse penalty goal).

Half-time: 9-3.

Referee: Todd Pullar.

Alhambra-Union 26

Dunedin 10