An intriguing mix of try-scorers provided many of the highlights of Saturday’s action in the Central Otago premier club competition.
For example, "unknown" Jack East scored four tries for competition leaders Upper Clutha in their 43-17 victory over battlers Matakanui Combined in Wanaka.
East, a successful athlete who excelled as a sprinter, moved back to Wanaka from Dunedin this year but injury concerns prevented him from turning out before Saturday.
East’s performance was pretty much matched by Matakanui Combined’s standout individual Dean Sinnamon, who scored a hat-trick of tries himself, matching the three he scored in Central’s Topp Cup victory two weeks ago.
Sinnamon has now drawn level with Alexandra flanker Sam Chapman on 10 tries for the season, a remarkable achievement for a lock/No8 in a team that has won just one game.
One behind Sinnamon and Chapman, with nine tries, is Upper Clutha’s other winger Ulysse Martineau, who dotted down once on Saturday, having scored six tries in his previous three outings.
It was a team effort more than individual contributions that got Wakatipu home 29-13 against Maniototo at Queenstown.
Thirteen minutes into the second half, Maniototo went ahead 13-12 after first five Ben Maxwell banged over a massive penalty goal from halfway, and an upset seemed possible.
But Wakatipu upped their intensity and dominated the final quarter, finishing with four tries, all of them scored by the forwards.
The bonus point pushed them to within one point of second-placed Alexandra, making for a thrilling sprint to the finish.
Starring for Wakatipu was halfback Xavier Sadler, who chalked up his 50th appearance back in April.
Wakatipu coach Jordan Manihera says Sadler does not have the word "no" in his vocabulary.
He has played halfback, midfield and winger for Wakatipu but has been mostly at halfback this year with James Valentine unavailable for much of the season.
It was Sadler’s exceptional speed that set up replacement Paula Tuala’s late try to clinch the bonus point.
Other major contributors for Wakatipu were veteran flanker Bradley Cross, hooker Thomas Huisman, first five Logan Beggs and captain/second five Rube Peina.
Arrowtown made a welcome return to the winner’s circle, outgunning Cromwell 29-7 at Anderson Park, four tries to one, having drawn with Cromwell 26-26 in the first round.
Second five Fiachra Bagnall bagged a pair of tries as Arrowtown romped away to a 26-7 lead by halftime.
Arrowtown’s return to form will add spice to this coming Saturday’s local derby clash with Wakatipu at Jack Reid Park.
— Bob Howitt
