There are not too many Sri Lankans making their mark on the international rugby scene, but Damian Ratwatte, who guided Arrowtown to a stunning 36-30 upset victory over Maniototo in the Central Otago premier club competition on Saturday, is one.
Playing at first five, Ratwatte scored three tries and kicked three conversions, in a game that was transferred from Arrowtown’s frozen Jack Reid Park to the Queenstown Recreation Centre.
Thanks to his heroics, Arrowtown maintains the slenderest of chances of qualifying for the playoffs, although it will require some miracle happenings in the final two rounds.
It was Arrowtown president Aimee Wilson-White who was responsible for getting Rattwatte from Sri Lanka, where his brother is the captain of the national rugby team, to Arrowtown, where he is manager of the Aosta Restaurant.
Because of his restaurant commitments, Ratwatte cannot train on Thursdays, but nor could any of his Arrowtown mates last week with a succession of heavy frosts leaving Jack Reid Park unplayable.
Coach Simon Harper described Ratwatte’s performance as "awesome".
"In fact, there were a bunch of awesome performances from players like our Scottish imports Andy Budde and Finlay Smith and from our centre Adam Jackson.
"We scored a couple of length-of-the-field tries in what was our best team performance of the season."
A last-gasp penalty goal by Daniel Adam, who accumulated 20 of his team’s points, salvaged a bonus point for Maniototo, edging it into fourth spot, a solitary point ahead of defending champion Wakatipu.
Wakatipu, having beaten Cromwell decisively in the first round, was overwhelmed by the Goats in the first 40 minutes of their game at a gloomy, fogbound Anderson Park.
Cromwell’s scrum monstered the visitors, which ultimately brought it a penalty try.
With Cromwell’s big men up front, Stefan Blakeborough, Tyson Clark and Hayden Hopgood, in awesome touch, and with Reon Buchanan dominating the lineout, Wakatipu never got a look-in and was lucky to trail 21-0 at halftime.
Wakatipu strengthened its scrum in the second half and finally produced some good attacking play, resulting in a try to replacement flanker Samuel Green.
Cromwell settled for two second-half penalty goals by classy halfback Ben Maxwell, who took over the goal-kicking in Rhys Harrold’s absence and slotted five out of five.
The 27-7 win virtually assures Cromwell of second spot come the semifinals, leaving Alexandra, Maniototo and Wakatipu to scrap for the last two spots, and Arrowtown needing a miracle to qualify.
Alexandra returned to the winner’s circle, beating Matakanui Combined 29-7, five tries to one, at Omakau.
Alexandra has Cromwell and Arrowtown to play, both at home. One victory would guarantee it a semifinal spot.
— Bob Howitt
