Kaikorai 27
Green Island 20
Kaikorai consolidated its spot at the top of the standings with a hard-fought 27-20 win over Green Island at an icy Miller Park on Saturday.
But the Grizzlies contributed to what was a cracking game.
Fullback Finn Hurley created chaos for the defence every time he handled the ball. He also popped into first five a lot and used his kicking game to keep the home side at the right end of the field of darkness.
It seemed to be sunny everywhere except Miller Park. That prompted one of the touch judges to ask a spectator: "When will the sun come out on this side?"
"In about four months", came the reply.
Green Island dominated the early exchanges and was rewarded when first five Caleb Williams slipped a pass to centre Riley Lucas, who powered his way across the line.
Kaikorai responded though halfback Charlie Marsh. He was on hand to take the pass from centre Mefiposeti Tupou, who had busted a couple of tackles.
But Green Island snatched back the lead through a penalty to Hurley, and a try late in the half to Delaney McKenzie helped the Grizzlies go into the shed up 15-10.
Kaikorai took control in the second spell with tries to impressive lock Oscar Graham and hooker Michael Strydom.
Wingers Nico Bowering and Jordan McEntee then teamed up on the left flank. Bower got clear and scampered 30-odd metres before passing infield to McEntee, who skipped through a tackle and sprinted away to score.
That proved to be the winner.
— Adrian Seconi
Zingari-Richmond 48
Alhambra-Union 36
Zingari-Richmond used its big pack to overcome Alhambra-Union 48-36 in a bottom-of-the-table clash at the North Ground.
It was not a high-quality fixture by any measure. But whenever the Colours got close to the line, they found a big body to crash over.
More often than not, that big body was powerhouse prop Israel Otunuku. He barged over for three tries.
Highlanders winger Jona Nareki nabbed two tries for AU in another notable performance. He made some classy touches, but also tried to do too much on his own at times.
Zingari-Richmond opened the scoring in the eighth minute through winger Willie Time. Otunuku bagged a double before the break to give his side a 22-17 lead.
AU rallied midway through the second spell and levelled the scores at 36-36, but its opponent leaned on its pack to score twice in the last 10 minutes and seal the win. It probably avoided the wooden spoon in doing so, as well.
Other than Otunuku, lock Lawrence Leung-Wai stood out. His set piece play was solid.
First five Shaun Driver controlled play nicely for the visitors and was instrumental as well.
Openside Ben Kay made the step up from the colts and impressed for Alhambra-Union. He snaffled several turnovers and had a high tackle rate, while lock Levi Turoa put in a good shift.
— Adrian Seconi
Harbour 30
Southern 29
Harbour halfback Nathan Hastie potted a late drop goal to seal a dramatic 30-29 win over Southern at Bathgate Park.
Ironically, it was Harbour on the receiving end of the rarity last time. Taylor Haugh helped University clinch a 19-16 victory at Watson Park during the Covid-interrupted season of 2020. Since then, Caleb Leef also kicked a drop goal to seal a win for Taieri in the 2021 final.
Southern was leading 29-27 on Saturday and Harbour still had two players in the bin. The game looked like it had slipped away.
But the Hawks swept up field from deep within their 22. From an ensuing breakdown, the ball was flicked back to Hastie and he lined up the posts and hoofed it through rather effortlessly.
Cries of jubilation rang out from the Harbour players and supporters alike.
Southern charged back on to attack and banged away at Harbour’s line. But the home team was let down by its handling and made a fumble out wide.
Southern had dominated up front for the most part. It was well served by locks Corban Agar and Aron Einarsson and flanker Harry Taylor.
But the defending champion Magpies were too often let down by their handling. That allowed Harbour to keep a grip on the game.
The Hawks were tireless in getting numbers to the ball, both in defence and attack.
They masterfully exploited the short side, with Taylor Dale and Hagan Free featuring in the forward exchanges.
Hastie and the Samate brothers remained constant threats throughout.
— Wayne Parsons
Dunedin 32
University 22
Both sides scored four tries and in the end goal kicking was the difference at the University Oval — Dunedin kicked four from five, but Varsity managed just one from six.
Dunedin had all the ball and territory early, looked clinical, and led 12-0 after 20 minutes.
The Sharks turned that advantage into a try after 15 minutes with a neat in-pass to flying winger Oscar Schmidt-Uili, who showed a clean pair of heels.
Varsity then gave up a penalty try after a series of indiscretions on its own line.
The game changed shape when Varsity broke from deep through Jeremiah Asi, and a few minutes later, fellow winger Aaron McMurray went over.
Asi then grabbed a try of his own when he skinned his marker and went over out wide, where Dunedin’s defence was being severely shown up.
Dunedin regrouped early in the second spell and nice passing put flanker Jay Davis through the hole to extend the lead to nine. This was quickly followed by a penalty to winger Ryan Watterston, and it looked like the Sharks were taking control.
Nobody told the Varsity forwards, though, who proceeded to score two quick tries from lineout drives to hooker Oahu Davey-Phillips and his replacement, Ricky Jackson, to level the scores with 20 minutes to go.
Dunedin was not to be denied though; the game’s outstanding player, second five Joe Cooke, showed power and pace to crash over for a converted try. First five Ben Paku added a penalty to make the game safe.
For Dunedin, alongside Cooke, No 8 Hame Toma was an unstoppable force with ball in hand and young fullback Kyan Rangitutia continued to impress.
Asi looked dangerous every time he touched the ball for Varsity, and prop Steve Salalea was strong on the carry.
— Paul Dwyer
Round 10
The scores
Kaikorai 27 (Charlie Marsh, Oscar Graham, Michael Strydom, Jordan McEntee tries; Nic Proffit 2 con, pen)
Green Island 20 (Riley Lucas, Delaney McKenzie, Inoke Naivalulevu tries; Finn Hurley con, pen).
Halftime: 15-10.
Zingari-Richmond 48 (Israel Otunuku 3, Simon Pupualii 2, Willie Time, Thomas Komisi tries; Shaun Driver 4 con, pen, Tyree Mania con)
Alhambra-Union 36 (Jona Nareki 2, Fitu Faailo, Simi Ului, Tom Nicholson tries; Oscar Anderson 4 con, pen).
Halftime: 22-17.
Harbour 30 (Opeti Samate, Obey Samate, Nathan Hastie tries; Hastie drop goal, Obey Samate 3 con, 2 pen)
Southern 29 (Jack Belcher, Jake McEwan, Ben McCarthy, Harry Taylor tries; McCarthy 3 con, pen).
Halftime: 24-15.
Dunedin 32 (Oscar Schmidt-Uili, Jay Davis, Joe Cooke tries, penalty try; Ryan Watterston 2 con, 2 pen)
University 22 (Aaron McMurray, Jeremiah Asi, Oahu Davey-Phillips, Ricky Jackson tries; Jacob Waikari-Jones con).
Halftime: 12-10.
Standings
| P | W | D | L | F | A | B | Pts | |
| Kaikorai | 9 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 348 | 111 | 8 | 45 |
| Taieri | 9 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 265 | 86 | 5 | 37 |
| Southern | 9 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 311 | 174 | 8 | 36 |
| Dunedin | 9 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 345 | 189 | 7 | 34 |
| Harbour | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 159 | 168 | 7 | 22 |
| Green Is | 9 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 190 | 226 | 4 | 20 |
| University | 10 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 247 | 302 | 4 | 16 |
| Zingari-R | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 132 | 356 | 3 | 9 |
| AU | 9 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 106 | 491 | 3 | 4 |
Points earned for the round 1 bye: Kaikorai 5, Southern 4, Harbour 3, ZR 2, AU 1.
