Rugby: Taieri, Southern pull away from the pack

Zingari-Richmond midfielder Lachie Moore (left) evades Alhambra-Union defender Noah Cooper at...
Zingari-Richmond midfielder Lachie Moore (left) evades Alhambra-Union defender Noah Cooper at Montecillo on Saturday. Photo by Craig Baxter.
Taieri and Southern made a jump on the field after premier club rugby on Saturday.

They both had bonus-point wins, with Taieri thumping Dunedin 41-11, and Southern beating Harbour 37-22.

Green Island gained its first point of the season after 10 rounds when it was beaten by University A 51-31. It scored five tries and got a bonus point.

Alhambra-Union became the first holder of the Grace Mills Memorial Trophy when it beat Zingari-Richmond 23-15.

Points in the Gallaway Trophy competition are: Taieri 45, Southern 43, Dunedin 37, University A 32, Alhambra-Union 31, Kaikorai 27, Harbour 22, Zingari-Richmond 18, Pirates 5, Green Island 1.

Taieri 41 Dunedin 11

Taieri totally outplayed Dunedin in most facets of play. The Eels dominated at scrum time, especially in the first half, when they won two tightheads and had the Dunedin scrum back-pedalling at a rate of knots.

On the back of a competitive front five, the Taieri loosies totally dominated their opposites, and this is where they effectively won the game.

Most of Taieri's seven tries came from loose forward turnovers. If it had a reliable goal kicker, it could have put 50 points on the defending champion. It was an ominous display.

Loose forwards James Lentjes and Willis Scott were instrumental in the victory with Lentjes getting a couple of tries after the break with good support play. Charlie O'Connell was strong with ball in hand and Mike McKee was the source of most of Taieri's lineout ball.

Kurt Hammer was strong at halfback, and Michael Collins and Kori Rupene were solid in the backline.

In a woefully under-strength Dunedin side, replacement first five Greg Dyer was a handful for his opposites and set up his team's try with a breath-taking break. Up front, Sam Anderson-Heather was Dunedin's best, and Mitch Zandstra battled away manfully in the loose.

Dunedin plays the other two top sides in the next two rounds and will now be wondering if it will even make the top four.

Taieri 41 (James Lentjes 2, Kori Rupene, William Tagicakibau, Charlie O'Connell, Nick McLennan, Todd Ford tries; Henry Parker 3 con), Dunedin 11 (Sione Pulu try; Greg Dyer 2 pen). Halftime: Taieri 17-6.

Southern 37 Harbour 22

Poor discipline by Southern allowed Harbour to keep in touch but the Magpies were still able to grind out a comfortable win at Bathgate Park.

Harbour owned the first half and led 15-7 at the break. But it was helped when three Southern players spent time in the sin-bin. Harbour scored three of its four tries when Southern was reduced to 14 men.

It was a game full of niggles with some off-the-ball activity that added to the frustration.

The game was still in the balance when Southern led 25-22 after 35 minutes in the second half. But Southern finally put its stamp on the game with two tries in the last five minutes.

Southern's best back was hard-running centre Tei Walden, who scored two second-half tries. His second try came when he completed a Southern passing movement that swept the length of the field.

Winger Josh Gordon had speed and always looked dangerous with the ball. The best of the forwards was tighthead prop Mike Mata'afa, with his strong scrummaging and his ability to drive upfield. Hooker Ricky Riccitelli was a strong mauler.

The best Harbour back was fullback Mateo Malupo, who threatened to break the line each time he received the ball.

Centre Aleki Morris ran strongly, and flanker Ratu Dawai and lock Hale T-Pole had strong defensive games.

Southern 37 (Tei Walden 2, Josh Gordon, Nathan Cargo, Ben Mayer tries; Ben Patston 3 con, 2 pen), Harbour 22 (Hale T-Pole 2, Aleki Morris, Marckis Shaaf tries; Nick Ealey con). Halftime: Harbour 15-7.

Kaikorai 39 Pirates 21

Pirates dominated territory and possession, but the Kaikorai backs were able to break through the gaps to set the foundation for this win at Bishopscourt.

Winger Bryce Morgan, complementing the work of those inside him, scored three brilliant tries and had a hand in others scored by Rob Griffiths, Matt Te Tana and Danny van der Voort. Morgan also featured in a solid midfield defence with Cam Rutherford and Jayden Spence.

At halfback, Te Tana was elusive on the break and worked well in clearing the ball from a forward pack overcome by the size and strength of the Pirates tight five.

The Kaikorai cause was not helped when it lost prop George Hendry in the opening minutes with a suspected rib injury. But hooker Griffiths and lock Simon Grant continued to lead the pack by example. Grant was more than useful at the lineout with his ability to gain height and take the ball cleanly.

After surrendering a 17-3 lead to Kaikorai at the break, it appeared as though Pirates would come away with a memorable victory when it roared back to lead 18-17 with 15 minutes remaining.

With the game in the balance, and Pirates ready to celebrate Andrew Bremner's 100th premier game in style, Kaikorai regrouped to take back the lead.

Pirates threatened to regain the lead again before a contentious refereeing decision in the Kaikorai in-goal area, where a Pirates player appeared to be taken out of play but no call was made.

From the restart on its 22m, Kaikorai swept up field and scored to put the game out of reach.

Kaikorai 39 (Bryce Morgan 3, Rob Griffiths, Matt Te Tana, Danny van der Voort tries; Cam Rutherford 3 con, pen), Pirates 21 (Hamish Clapp, Hisa Sasagi tries; Craig Sneddon con, 3 pen). Halftime: Kaikorai 17-3.

Alhambra-Union 23 Zingari-Richmond 15

Alhambra-Union muddled its way to a scratchy win over Zingari-Richmond in the inaugural Grace Mills Memorial Trophy match at Montecillo.

It was an even contest in the forwards, with neither side able to exert dominance. Alhambra-Union had a more enterprising backline but the rugged Zingari defence restricted it to three tries.

A late try by Peter Breen gave Alhambra-Union a narrow 8-5 lead at the break. But the lead was snatched back by second five-eighth Lachie Moore early in the second spell when he intercepted an Alhambra-Union pass and sprinted 50m for the try.

Moore was the best back on the paddock with his ability to read the game and his solid defence. He made a defensive intercept on his own 22m that stopped a certain try and made several strong runs.

Alhambra-Union's woes were compounded because the usually reliable Peter Breen kicked only three goals from eight attempts. His second-half penalty that took Alhambra-Union back into the lead looked to be outside the posts.

Two late tries by Alhambra-Union put a false glow on the win.

Zingari-Richmond lock Joe Latta was the best forward on the paddock. He made six clean takes in the lineout and also made two takes off Alhambra-Union throws. He demonstrated his strength close to the line by scoring two tries.

Latta was backed by flanker Chris Bell and openside flanker Steven Roberts in the first spell.

Loose forwards Ben Pereira and Tyron Pelasio and locks Mike Colville and Riki Davis were the best in Alhambra-Union's pack and halfback Caleb Gray and wing Tili Puloka the best backs.

Alhambra-Union 23 (Tili Puloka, Peter Breen, Zeb Laqekoro tries; Breen con, 2 pen), Zingari-Richmond 15 (Lachie Moore, Joe Latta 2 tries). Halftime: Alhambra-Union 8-5.

University A 51 Green Island 31

University A was a comfortable victor but Green Island produced its best performance of the season and gained its first competition point in an entertaining game at the University Oval.

A romp by the students seemed likely when centre Matt Faddes scored a 50m try in the first minute, and again when they led 21-7, but the pesky Green Island team would not go away.

University A scored seven tries to five but the expected rout did not eventuate as Green Island persevered and ran the ball from everywhere.

There was only one way for Green Island to go after its 96-0 annihilation by Taieri the previous week and it showed plenty of grit to almost match the students try for try.

First five-eighth Fletcher Smith scored 21 points for University A, and Faddes and winger Kieran Parker each bagged two tries, but the University A forwards were too loose at times and did not dominate as expected.

Will Koia was a livewire half and the most impressive forwards were the emerging Sione Teu at No 8, Max O'Brien on the blindside flank and the rapidly improving Hamish Walker at lock.

This was a match in which Green Island regained some lost pride, with fullback Sam McNoe, midfielder Fapene Popoali'i and halfback Tala Fagasoia all having good games.

There was a gritty effort by the entire pack in which No 8 Hamish Finnie, openside flanker Luke Johnston, lock James Waller and prop Lausei Pritchard all played well.

University A 51 (Matt Faddes 2, Kieran Parker 2, Sam Aitken, Sione Teu, Fletcher Smith tries; Smith 5 con, 2 pen), Green Island 31 (Sam McNoe, James Spooner, Fapene Popoali'i, Lausei Pritchard, Terry Gough tries; McNoe 3 con). Halftime: University 31-21.

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