Video: Race boss stands by choice of winner

University A winger Gavin Stark was crowned the South's fastest club rugby player - but the race boss has been tackled over his choice of winner.

Stark won the revamped ODT Express Race held at halftime during the Highlanders v Lions Super Rugby clash at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday.

Previously a straight sprint, the race this year included chip-kicks over mascots and dodging a gauntlet of defenders wielding crash-pads.

Gavin Stark dots down to win the race. Photo by Gerard O'Brien
Gavin Stark dots down to win the race. Photo by Gerard O'Brien
Taieri's William Tagicakibau was out in front and favourite for the $10,000 prize pack before getting hammered by the crash-pads with the try-line in sight.

That made it a  two-man sprint to the line between Stark and Maheno's Adam Johnson.

Maheno club chairman James Symes has cried foul at the result, claiming on ODT Facebook that Johnson dotted the ball down first.

But race boss Paul Dwyer, of the Otago Daily Times, disagreed.

"I was the sole judge and from where I viewed it Stark was the winner."

 

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