Maniototo withstood Clyde Earnscleugh’s challenge for the White Horse Cup, winning 16-8 in front of a big crowd.
In a pretty scrappy game played in excellent winter conditions, each side scored a try but superior goal-kicking by in-form Angus Gibb, who kicked three penalties and one conversion, nailed the win for the home side. Right wing Nick Love scored the Maniototo try while the visiting side added a late try to wing Andy Hamilton to add to the earlier penalty kicked by Matt Griffiths. Cromwell had to work hard to get up 47-31 over a spirited Matakanui Combined side at Omakau.
Cromwell fullback Clayton Buchanan scored four tries, and had an excellent all-round game. Lock Stefan Blakeborough, who continues to impress, also dotted down. Quinten Dynes, Hayden Todd and Seru Rabuca rounded out the Cromwell try-scorers. Ben Maxwell added four conversions.
The Combined side crossed the line five times as Dean Sinnamon, Ben Naylor, Jeremy Jenkins, Matt Holland and lock Andrew Kerr all scored tries while Jenkins added three conversions. Sinnamon and prop Matt Holland had good games for the host while Jenkins and Chris Nolan were the pick of the backs.
Wakatipu continued on its winning way with a 50-13 victory over Alexandra in a scrappy game at Molyneux Park. Both teams tried hard to play good running rugby but there too many mistakes.
Tries for the visiting side were scored by Matt Ashe (2), Dan O’Shea (2), Steve Banks, Pene Rewi, Joe Sutheran and Isaac Rayworth, five of which were converted by Logan Beggs. The home side never gave up and was rewarded with tries to Brad Allan and Gerard Williams and a penalty goal to Macauley Little.
Luke Dwyer and Shane Harrex stood out in the forwards for the home team.
Arrowtown got its hands on the Neil Purvis Memorial Trophy with a hard-fought 32-26 win at Tarras. Arrowtown, which was reduced to 13 men for the last five minutes, defended its line stoutly as Upper Clutha was hot on attack for that period. Captain Aidan Winter, Ben Carr, Josh Brazier, Adam Hill and Tom Grandiek all scored tries for the visiting side while Connor Bissett, with two conversions and a penalty, rounded out the visiting side’s scoring. Upper Clutha scored its points through tries to Ben Purvis, Scott Cunningham and Fraser Dowling and Jared Cunningham while Josh Roberts converted three of the tries. George Reed at lock was a standout player for the home side.
- Malcolm Jones