University 71
Zingari-Richmond 14
University halfback Brad Campbell took a quick tap and ran 50m untouched to score early in the second half.
That pretty much summed up University’s heavy win over Zingari-Richmond at Logan Park on Saturday.
The Colours slept soundly through that play and were thoroughly disorganised on defence.
University probably should have won by a lot more. But they have struggled for consistency this season and produced an unpolished performance.
It was an important win, though.
They needed the five points to stay in contention for the division 1 playoffs, so from that perspective, it was a good result.
They ended up scoring 11 tries and clearing out to win by more than 50.
First five Mika Muliaina showed some touches of class. He dotted down for two tries and knocked over six conversions.
Highlanders loose forward Will Stodart bagged a double as well.
Openside flanker Jayden Broome had a strong opening half, Warren Loulanting made some bustling runs in the midfield, and prop Steve Salelea was solid.
Chris Bell took a break from retirement to turn out for Zingari-Richmond again.
The veteran forward reached 300 games for the club last year and he still has some tricks up his sleeve.
He slipped through a lineout and stole the ball just seconds after getting on the field.
Hooker A-One Lolofie and flanker Darius Towers did not give up in a well-beaten side. — Adrian Seconi
Kaikorai 24
Harbour 20
Naughty. Naughty. Naughty.
Harbour gave up the penalties that counted the most, and Kaikorai first five Ben Miller made them pay.
He knocked over four penalties, including three in the second half, to seal a tense win at Watson Park.
The lead changed hands several times.
Kaikorai led 10-7 at the break.
Harbour levelled the scores through a penalty to Rique Miln and regained the lead when hooker Gabriel Francesconi drove over.
But their 15-10 advantage slipped away when the visitors scored in a similar fashion.
Miller’s conversion got his side in front again.
Miln struck back with another penalty but Miller clinched the victory with two more three-pointers.
The game was an arm wrestle.
Harbour had a more powerful pack.
No 8 Jeff Ikani impressed with some strong carries. Midfielder Will Tufui ran hard and experienced centre Aleki Morris-Lome had some nice touches.
But Kaikorai had more possession and territory in the first half, and, for the most part, their scrum held up.
Loose forward Slade McDowall flattened every blade of grass in a typically busy shift.
Miller kicked the goals that counted and his tactical kicking was a source of comfort for Kaikorai.
Lock Sidney Fidow had a strong first half but did not re-emerge after the break.
The loss has left Harbour vulnerable. Their spot in the playoffs could hinge on the outcome of their game against Green Island this weekend. — Adrian Seconi
Southern 31
Green Island 15
The Southern forward pack set the foundation for victory over Green Island at Bathgate Park.
The Magpies were forced into a dozen changes but captain Harry Taylor stitched the performance together with another standout display.
The openside flanker dominated from the back of the lineout, and along with fellow loose forwards Dylan Petaia and Konrad Toleafoa, proved a vital difference between the two sides.
The three helped set the game alight in the opening minute when first five Mackenzie Palmer ran into space and offloaded to Petaia to score.
Green Island responded through halfback Dan Smart, who took a quick tap and sprinted over for the five-pointer.
Liam Barron added the conversion and a penalty to hand the Grizzlies a 10-5 lead.
Southern set a rolling maul in motion on the back of a clean take from Taylor and hooker Isileli Otunuku was shunted over for the try.
An elusive run and turn of speed down the right flank from winger Lotu Solomona added to the numbers on the scoreboard and handed Southern a 17-10 lead at the break.
Green Island rallied with a try to No 8 Atu Katoa.
But despite the Grizzlies’ best endeavours, they were unable to trouble the scorers again.
Justin Malifa and Toleafoa added tries for Southern to secure what will prove to be a valuable bonus point victory with just one round-robin game remaining before the playoffs are decided. — Wayne Parsons
Taieri 20
Dunedin 0
In terrible ground conditions at Peter Johnstone Park, Dunedin gifted Taieri a great chance to lift the Gallaway Trophy next week if they can beat Southern.
Dunedin could not get out of their own way for the majority of the game, while Taieri capitalised on all their scoring opportunities and defended stoically for the majority of the second half.
The Sharks had all the ball early but every time they got into the scoring zone, they dropped the ball or took wrong options.
The first time Taieri got possession in the Dunedin 22m, fullback Joe Cockburn brushed off weak tackles to give them a seven-point lead.
The second time the Eels got into the 22m, after 25 minutes, halfback Trey Russell sneaked over from a lineout drive for the 14-point lead.
First five Cameron Millar then nailed two penalties to give Taieri a 20-point buffer, and that was the end of the scoring.
Dunedin had 70% of the territory and possession in the second spell but continued to butcher numerous opportunities.
They should have scored at least three tries but continued to shell the last pass, and Taieri’s cloying defence and the judicious timing of attacking rucks held Dunedin at bay and frustrated them into numerous schoolboy errors.
Prop Cam Allan-McNeill and No 8 Sam Fischli were outstanding on both sides of the ball for Taieri and led the charge in a committed forward pack.
Diminutive halfback Trey Russell was like a yard dog behind the pack, and Millar kept the ball in front of his pack and was flawless from the tee.
Special mention must be made of the Whaanga brothers, Matt and Josh, for their committed midfield defence despite a family tragedy during the week.
Replacement lock Ben Joseph played his best game for the Sharks and enhanced his reputation. Dunedin now have the bye and will reflect on how they tried to play too much rugby in conditions that did not suit. — Paul Dwyer
Round 13
The scores
University 71 (Will Stodart 2, Mika Muliaina 2, Jayden Broome, Brad Campbell, Mac Harris, Charles Engelbrecht, Ricky Jackson, Oliver Hatch, Jack Saunders tries; Muliaina 6 con, Cruz Kumeroa 2 con), Zingari-Richmond 14 (Bill Temaka, A-One Lolofie tries; Shaun Driver 2 con). Halftime: University 38-7.
Kaikorai 24 (Jake Fowler, Ben Hellriegel tries; Ben Miller con, 4 pen), Harbour 20 (Benjamin Fakataha, Gabriel Francesconi tries; Rique Miln 2 con, 2 pen). Halftime: Kaikorai 10-7.
Southern 31 (Dylan Petaia, Isileli Otunuku, Lotu Solomona, Justin Malifa, Konrad Toleafoa tries; Wyndham Patuawa con, Mackenzie Palmer 2 con), Green Island 15 (Dan Smart, Atu Katoa; Liam Barron con, pen). Halftime: Southern 17-10.
Taieri 20 (Joseph Cockburn, Trey Russell tries; Cameron Millar 2 con, 2 pen). Dunedin 0. Halftime: Taieri 20-0.
Standings
| P | W | D | L | F | A | B | Pts | |
| Taieri | 12 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 427 | 223 | 10 | 46 |
| Dunedin | 12 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 377 | 196 | 8 | 44 |
| Kaikorai | 12 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 436 | 296 | 7 | 39 |
| Southern | 11 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 462 | 231 | 10 | 38 |
| Harbour | 11 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 366 | 335 | 10 | 34 |
| Green Is | 12 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 359 | 322 | 9 | 33 |
| University | 11 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 416 | 324 | 8 | 32 |
| Zingari-R | 12 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 263 | 659 | 5 | 9 |
| AU | 11 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 179 | 699 | 2 | 2 |
