Old Boys started brilliantly against Valley in Oamaru and after 10 minutes of the first half were leading 14-0 through tries to wingers Siua Ngalo and Levi Atiga, with first five-eighth Logan Wilson adding the extra points.
Flanker Junior Fakatoufifita extended Old Boys’ lead to 19-0.
Ten minutes before halftime, Valley prop Meli Kolinisau barged over with halfback Owen Davey converting. Six minutes later Davey went in for a try which he converted to narrow the gap.
A minute from halftime, outside back Ben Paton used his pace to cross in the corner and tie the score at 19-19.
Valley continued its momentum in the second half when hooker Jake Greenslade crossed and Davey’s conversion put Valley out to 26-19.
With 15 minutes remaining, Wilson kicked into the northeast corner and applied pressure. After two minutes of continuous attack, Atiga went in for his second try and Wilson converted to tie the final score at 26-26.
Maheno, which had its 125th festivities over the weekend, started its celebration match against Excelsior at the Maheno Domain in a polished manner.
Winger Adam Johnson scored three tries early before Excelsior’s Slade Thomas, with an unconverted try, put his side on the board.
Maheno dominated the second quarter with Henry Mitchell, Robbie Smith and Hayden Tisdall scoring converted tries to take the home team out to a 38-5 lead at halftime.
Excelsior inside back Josh Phipps cut the margin back with a converted try but a Robbie Smith try and conversion extended Maheno’s lead to 43-12.
Excelsior flanker Jack Dunshea crossed for Phipps to convert to make it 43-19 before the home side scored again.
A late Smith try and conversion took the home side to 50-19 before a late Excelsior try made the score 50-26.
Athletic Marist came back well in the second half to score its first win of the season.
Kurow dominated the first half, leading 21-14 at halftime in Oamaru, but Athletic Marist was not to be denied as it got on top in the second half for a narrow 31-29 victory.
- Terry O'Neill
