Midlands almost pulled off the upset of the season against the Galbraith Shield holder Woodlands in the Southland club competition on Saturday.
Woodlands won 17-7 but it was a close run thing, with veteran Jason Rutledge getting Woodlands home.
The young Midlands side got stuck into the defending champion and had Woodlands rattled for the majority of the match.
The Woodlands attack looked blunt without its usual first five-eighth Marty McKenzie and Midlands looked the more likely to score a try. A penalty goal to Woodlands first five-eighth Ricky Baker was the only points in the first half.
Midlands’ confidence was evident after the resumption, with prop Conner McDermott, No 8 Sam Brame, blindside Joe Robins, fullback Te Hura Wilson and first five-eighth Tom Crean all playing well for Midlands.
Midlands scored a deserved converted try to wing Aaron McDowell after 52 minutes but Woodlands cancelled that out immediately when lock Blair McKenzie barged over for a converted try.
Woodlands withstood a Midlands siege and remained ahead.
Midlands captain Sam Brame never tired and made a punishing tackle late in the game that lifted his team-mates and supporters, Brame then earned a turnover to give the home side one last chance.
Woodlands hooker Jason Rutledge had the last say in the match by scoring a pushover try. The conversion made for a flattering final score of 17-7.
Rutledge, who is 43, held his team together all afternoon and fullback Kieran Lee got his side out of trouble a few times during the last 15 minutes.
Midlands coach Dayna Cunningham was frustrated with the result.
“We could have won it. It was as our best opportunity to beat a premier team but a few little mistakes cost us,” he said.
In the other premier game, Blues beat Marist 17-10 on club day at Balmoral Drive, while the Eastern Northern Barbarians thrashed Star 49-0 at the Gore Showgrounds.
Star is not travelling well after losing four of its five games to date and has the bye next week to think about things.
Leader Pirates Old Boys had the bye on Saturday.
In the division one competition Edendale carried on its winning way with a 47-29 win on club day at Pioneer Park.
In division two DLS beat Riverton 36-12 at Limehills.
- John Langford
