Clutha Valley signalled its intentions for the season with a commanding 56-22 win over Owaka at Clydevale on Saturday, and the win locks away the Bryan Price Trophy for another few weeks.
The home side started strongly and notched up two tries within the opening 10 minutes. Holding on to possession and making metres at will, it led 25-3 at halftime.
The second half was a seesaw battle; both teams managed to string phases together and produce some sparkling rugby. Valley’s backline was dominant and found open space with ease. Owaka slipped off numerous tackles, which did not help its cause.
Owaka scored a couple of late tries to narrow the gap but Valley emerged a deserved victor. Backs Brayden Wilson, Jordan Willocks and Jonny Sargent were on fire for the home side and Willocks helped himself to a hat-trick of tries. Hamish Wilson led the charge up front for the Valley side. He was unforgiving in the contact and solid on defence.
Lock Rhys Evans was Owaka’s best. He scored a brace of tries and enjoyed the physicality of the game. Flanker Cameron Burgess and midfield back Brendan McLeod also had strong games.Lawrence chalked up its first win of the season with a 21-5 victory over Toko at Lawrence.
The home side scored three tries to one in a stop-start affair. Toko had the wood over it at scrum time but Lawrence had the lion’s share of possession and found plenty of space out wide. It blew chance after chance but managed to control the game well enough to take the points. The Lawrence midfield combination of Hayden Wyber and Pete Wallis was dangerous with ball in hand, each scoring a try.
Flanker Pete O’Malley had another strong game for Lawrence. He got through a mountain of work on both attack and defence. Bradley Frost scored Toko’s only points and flanker Dylan Greer was once again on form for the side.
Clutha continued its winning ways with a 57-27 win over Heriot at Clutha. Heriot started strongly with the wind behind it, scoring two early tries to take the lead, but Clutha came back into the game and started to go about its work. It went into halftime 33-14 up, which is a huge effort playing into the wind. The second half produced more of the same — both sides enjoyed time on the ball but it was the home side that made the most of it. The Clutha pack showed superior fitness and was more clinical on attack.
Heriot found space on attack and broke many Clutha tackles but could not stop the home side. Clutha hooker Josh Turnbull had a superb game. He was strong on the carry and reliable on defence. Captain Kane Teunissen helped himself to three tries and was always dangerous with ball in hand. Heriot ran in three tries to centre Ethan Jane, No8 Tyson Adams and fullback Lee Stiven. Clutha retains the Speight’s Jug and McIntosh Cup with the win.
Crescent travelled to Clinton and beat the home side 38-12 in a physical encounter. Crescent started well and was in charge of both territory and possession. Clinton was strong on attack but lacked the killer instinct to turn possession into points.
Crescent went into halftime 19-5 ahead and was confident of pulling away in the second half. However, Clinton never gave up, enjoying time on the ball and not letting Crescent have all the play.
Crescent put away another three tries in the second spell to end the home team’s chances and locked away the Ian Reid Memorial Trophy for another round. Hooker Jamie Sutton had a huge game for Crescent. In his first season back from a serious knee injury, he showed his class. Flanker Cole Birse also had a strong game. First five-eighth Harley McHardy led his team around well and set up some quality tries. Ben Millar and Ben Winter scored Clinton’s tries. The Clinton side put up a respectable fight, considering its lack of reserves.
- Francis Parker
