Leader Clutha Valley is still unbeaten after a 27-14 win over Owaka to retain the Bryan Price Trophy.
The first half was a wrestle, neither side giving an inch on defence. Both conceded a penalty try and were reduced to 14 players with players in the sin bin at different times of the half.
Owaka looked good when it stuck to its structure but again failed to execute it for long periods. Valley was more than competitive at ruck time and managed to grab some crucial turnovers.
Clutha Valley led 12-7 at halftime and dominated much of the second half as it bossed territory and possession.
Valley scored three tries to extend the lead before Owaka finished the match on the front foot, scoring a well-deserved try on fulltime.
Valley was marshalled well by veteran halfback Josh Botting, who showed his class on attack and pulled off a remarkable try-saving tackle in the first half. Jordan Willocks and Sean Aitken-Boyle were others to stand out.
Workhorse No 8 Chris Chittock was again Owaka’s best on the field followed closely by fullback Jack Holland-Spinks and prop Regan Gillespie.
West Taieri is still sitting in second place after a comfortable 46-5 win over Toko in Milton.
The scoreline does not match how intense the match was, particularly in the first half as the visiting side was only ahead by 10-5.
West Taieri then dominated the forward collisions, which allowed its improving backline to score some nice tries.
West Taieri centre Will Scorgie had a strong game. He was hard to stop with ball in hand, put in some telling tackles and scored a brace of tries.
Winger Haughton Gilbert also grabbed a double, while Conner Jenkins continued his stellar form up front with plenty of support from Arlen Docherty and Ben Scorgie.
Toko put in another honest shift. Michael Phillip was immense up front and Matt Lyon was a brick wall on defence. Brad Frost had another strong game at fullback and Dion Shaw was strong in the second half.
Heriot cemented its position in the top four with a resounding 50-0 win over bottom-of-the-table Roxburgh in Heriot.
Heriot ran in nine unanswered tries to romp home after leading 24-0 at the break.
Prop Neta Masunu Utumapu had a rampaging match up front, scoring three tries. No 8 Josh Buchanan also excelled, while Stacey McKinnel and Hauraki Heurea were the pick of the Roxburgh players.
Crescent’s 39-20 win over Clinton at Clinton was not enough to secure it a semifinal spot as other results did not go its way.
Clinton proved it has one of the best scrums in the competition, pushing Crescent back numerous times, but Crescent warmed up in the second half and drew away from Clinton with some help from the bench.
Andy Carruthers and Liam Sell were strong up front for Crescent, and Jackson Cook showed his ability at first five. Aaron Lupton and Josh Hurring played well up front for Clinton, while Michael Beattie and Jerome Waller were the pick of the backs.
- Francis Parker
