Arrowtown’s Ben Carr reaches out to score against Maniototo during a Central Otago Premier rugby match on Saturday. Photo: James Allan Photography
Rugby
Wakatipu, Upper Clutha and Cromwell had predictable wins in the latest round of Central Otago Premier Rugby. But Maniototo showed what it is capable of with a one-point win over third-placed Arrowtown at the Queenstown Events Centre.
The visitors led 14-5 at half time and held on to win 27-26. Sam Pringle scored two tries from No8, while openside Ollie McLelland scored one and added a conversion. Angus Gibb kicked a penalty and there was a penalty try. For Arrowtown, hooker and its player of the day Ben Carr scored a try, as did skipper John Morrison, Tom McFarlane and Liam Jenkins. Connor Bissett added three conversions.
Wakatipu piled on 43 unanswered points in the second half against Matakanui Combined, after leading 22-7 at the 40-minute break, to win comfortably 65-7 in Queenstown. The home side scored 11 tries in another convincing display over its lowly opponents. Henry Youngman and Sam Collins both got doubles for the host.
Maniototo bagged the points and would have enjoyed the trip home after a tight win over last year’s finalist Arrowtown. Cromwell easily overcame the latest challenge for the White Horse Cup, beating Alexandra 60-19 after leading 31-12 at halftime. Cromwell scored tries through Stefan Blakeborough, Dane Edge and Charlie Tiko, who all scored twice, while Ethan Molloy and George Tiko also dotted down. For Alexandra, right wing Andy Watson was a standout and Brett Harris, Nathan Craddock and Rynhard Kruger scored tries.
Upper Clutha was impressive again in beating Clyde Earnscleugh 55-13 at Clyde. The visitors led 24-6 at the break and scored nine tries to one.
Netball
Defending champion Dunstan A brought its young squad to the party against Diamonds this weekend and opened its campaign in style. It showed it meant business by turning over the first two Diamonds passes and converting easily in its own goal circle. Goal shoot Grace Ellis made easy work of the Diamonds defenders, driving along the baseline with ease.
The Diamonds were static in the midcourt and Dunstan picked up numerous tips and intercepts as frustration began to set in for Diamonds. Dunstan showcased some beautiful straight line play down court to its shooters and was patient on the pass.
Diamonds centre Abby Miller was pivotal for the midcourt, but was unable to make the connections required, as ball continued to be lost going in to the shooters.
Dunstan goal defence Amy Johnson hustled throughout the Diamonds attacking third, gaining three intercepts for the match. Dunstan had a comfortable 28-5 lead at half time.
In the third quarter, Diamonds finally begin to show signs of the great team it can be. Connections were finally being made and there was more talk in its attacking third. Lana Toms shifted to wing attack and fed her shooters well from the circle edge. Dunstan wing defence Aria Monaghan never tired in trying to shut her down, picking up several loose balls and three intercepts in the midcourt. Diamonds’ fitness appeared to let the side down, as Dunstan continued its sharp, fast, straight-line play down the court right to the final whistle. It took the game home convincingly, 48-14.
Molyneux faced Vincent again, coming away with another convincing win, 29-14, and Roxburgh Area School A was unable to shut Cromwell College A down, losing 19-31.
