North Otago’s Heartland rugby squad turned in an impressive final workout before its first-round game against Buller in Oamaru on August 25 when it scored nine tries to beat Otago Country 61-19 in Kurow on Saturday.
The North Otago forward pack had a definite edge over the Country eight and the North Otago backline, spearheaded by midfielder Taina Tamou, made light of the Country defence.
But it was Country which scored first when Tamou broke to halfway but Country right winger Robin Fesilafai intercepted the final pass and raced 60m to scoreBut two quick breaks from Tamou had North Otago over for two quick converted tries.
Flanker Anthony Amato was then on the shoulder to take the final pass for a try which Burgess converted to take North Otago out to 21-7 lead. After a fine lineout take by Amato, Tamou split the opposition defence and went all the way for Burgess to convert and give North Otago a 28-7 lead.
Further tries in the first half came to flanker Junior Fakatoufifita and No8 Mika Mafi to give the home team a 42-7 lead at the break.
Country hit back early in the second half when replacement Max Pennell scored from a tap penalty and Rynard Kruger converted. North Otago immediately counterattacked and flanker Filipo Veamatahau finished off another movement when he linked with prop Kelepi Funaki and Mafi for replacement five-eighth Josh Buchan to convert. Seven minutes from fulltime,
Country’s Chris Preddy scored a try from a charged-down kick. The final five minutes belonged to North Otago as prop Kelepi Funaki and Buchan both touched down. .
Netball
Valley Gold secured a spot in the premier netball final next Saturday when it beat St Kevin’s A 32-18.
Valley quickly made its mark while St Kevin’s took time to settle.
Valley Gold led 9-5 after the first quarter. Valley came out firing in the second quarter, lifting its intensity right through the court, and St Kevin’s battled to respond.
Valley Gold’s defensive trio of Nicky Wallace (GD), Shay Frost (GK) and Sarah Newlands (WD) led the charge, restricting St Kevin’s to a mere two goals in the second quarter.
St Kevin’s made changes through the court at halftime and this allowed it to build up some momentum. Annie Metcalfe came on at GK and Georgia Oakes at WD and the duo disrupted Valley’s attack, allowing St Kevin’s to take the second half 11-10. The quarter scores were 9-5, 22-7, 29-13 and 32-18.
Valley Gold will meet Maheno Green in the final after Maheno downed Waitaki Girls Wildfire, 38-33, in a tight game. The scores were close in the first half, with Maheno up 18-17 at halftime.
Maheno had a strong third quarter applying a full court defensive pressure led by Anika McLennan (WD) and Kat Kawau (C) creating turnovers to give it a six-goal lead going into the final quarter. Suzy Oakes (GS) and Nga Yaxley (GA) combined well in the shooting circle and Shannon Vince (WA) found the pair with ease.
The quarter scores were 9-10, 18-17, 34-30 and 38-33.
In the other premier games, Waitaki Girls Lightning Strike beat Kurow, 36-16, and Athletic Maroon beat Valley Silver, 27-26.
Football
Meadowbank first XI lived to fight another day when it played Timaru City A on Saturday. At fulltime the score was tied at four-all and in Meadowbank took the game 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out.
Hockey
Ruby Searle scored two vital goals for Waitaki Girls’ first XI as it beat Pirata White 3-0 in women’s hockey on Saturday.
A Zane Weir goal gave Waitaki Girls’ development XI a 1-0 win over St Kevin’s development XI while a brace of goals to Tom Fielding and Jackson Smith carried Waitaki Boys to a 5-4 win over Pirata Black. Caleb Jopson scored a hat-trick.
St Kevin’s Girls first XI drew 3-3 with Pirata Blue. Shane Emerson scored two goals for Pirata.
- Terry O'Neill
