Kurow, with the Tyler Burgess and Ben Nowell duo in full flight, had a 60-21 win over Athletic Marist, while Valley registered its first win of the season with a 27-23 win over Excelsior.
The Old Boys forward pack drove over for tries in the first quarter against Maheno.
Big Old Boys winger Sale Pi’i surged over in the 25th minute before Maheno first five-eighth Craig Smith, in a brilliant individual effort, raced 40m to score a converted try.
Old Boys player-coach Ralph Darling took Old Boys to a 28-7 lead at halftime with Naufahu adding the conversion.
Fiery flanker Filipo Veamatahau opened the scoring for Old Boys in the second half and Naufahu’s conversion took the leaders out to 35-7 before Maheno hit back with a try to prop Peter Armstrong.
In the dying minutes, Old Boys brought up the half century for a decisive win.Kurow at this stage looks to be the only other team that could threaten Old Boys. The pack, led by hooker Mike Paterson, gave the backs plenty of ball.
Athletic Marist held the opposition out for the bulk of the first quarter before Burgess found space and scored.
Five minutes later, the Kurow backs opened up the Athletic defence through Nowell and centre Craig Robson. From the scrum, Burgess sent winger Dean Fenwick over in the corner.
Two further tries, one answered by Athletic’s No8 Kataongo Katoa, led to a 20-7 halftime lead to Kurow.
Further Kurow tries in the second half came to centre Craig Robson, winger Sam Fleming, who got two, lock Howard Fale, Petelo Houhila and Nowell, while Simon Lillicama and Jared Whitburn scored for Athletic.
Excelsior could not build on a 15-13 halftime lead and Valley, also chasing its first win of the season, fought back to take the game.
The lead changed many times and there was just one point in it with a few minutes to go.
Excelsior No8 Jamie Rhodes scored two tries but a last penalty from Brad McKenzie gave his side the four-point win.
Netball
St Kevin’s Senior A was too good for Valley Silver, racing out to a 52-8 win at the Hine Marae courts on Saturday in premier netball.
St Kevin’s goal shoot Jaimee Trainor was outstanding in the shooting circle, while Annie Metcalfe got plenty of ball on defence at the other end. Ashley Smyth and Ani Lafoou played well for Valley Silver.
Waitaki Girls’ Wildfire held off a late challenge from Maheno, getting home by a solitary goal 28-27. Maheno led 9-4, 18-13 and 24-19 before Molly Hurst took charge of her team, working tirelessly at goal attack and lifting the defence.
Maheno at the finish had a chance to draw the game but the shot was missed. Maheno’s Kat Kawau was outstanding at centre on attack and defence.
In the other premier game, Waitaki Girls Lightning Strike beat Athletic Maroon 40-28.
Football
It was a weekend to forget for Meadowbank. The West End First XI beat the Meadowbank First XI 9-1 in Oamaru. Dan Turbocz got Meadowbank’s goal.
Bowls
Bob Wilson, of the Awamoa club, and Daphne Campbell, of Meadowbank, took out the finals of the champion of champion singles played at the Awamoa club yesterday.
Bruce Kelly and Dave Smillie took the veteran pairs title when they defeated Maheno’s Allan Holmes and Neville Ludemann 20-12 at the Otematata club. The women’s title went to Awamoa’s Maria McMahon and Marilyn Velenski, who beat Otematata’s Joan Denniston and Gail McAuliffe 15-12.
Indoor bowls
Mike Howard’s Oamaru club quartet took the Lavender Trophy on Saturday evening, beating the Meadowbank four of Gordon Robb, Denise Lewis, Bob Lewis and Diana McGregor 5-1 in the final.
- Terry O'Neill