Toko wins close match with Lawrence

Toko solidified its fourth place with a close-fought 31-28 win over Lawrence in Milton on Saturday.

Lawrence held a slender 15-10 lead at halftime but gave  away penalties at key times. Toko relieved pressure through its kicking game and fed off the Lawrence mistakes. Lawrence had two players in the bin at various stages through the game which did not help it.

Fullback Cole Wilson and lock Liam Kingma were strong for the home side. Lawrence captain Hayden Wyber scored a double and was a handful for the Toko defence. Prop Gytis Dernecius and halfback Jacob Cotton also dotted down. Simon Chamberlain and Oscar Goodlet also stood up for the side.

Clutha saw off a dogged Heriot side 19-14 in a strong tussle at Heriot. Clutha performed admirably in the first half,  scoring three and going into the break 19-7 up. Heriot scored a try just after halftime and then the game stagnated.

Heriot’s set piece was strong and its defence was sound. Prop Blair Young and fullback Jordan Purcell scored the home side’s tries. Ropini Fesilafai scored a double for Clutha and captain Simon Grant also crossed the chalk. Heriot hooker Craig Stanway had a strong game, as did halfback Aaron Elliott.

Clutha Valley beat Owaka 33-19 in a physical encounter at Owaka. The first half was a spectacle of running rugby as both sides made the most of the possession they had and made plenty of metres. Valley held the advantage 19-12 at the break and took its chances in the second half.

It exploited some holes in the Owaka defence and scored two more tries. Owaka stayed in the hunt through its dominant forward pack but could not catch up.

Valley winger Max Duncan had an inspirational game. He scored a double and set up another two. Owaka fullback Jeremy Gray had a very strong game. He made the most of the ball he received and made plenty of metres. He kicked intelligently and his support lines were outstanding.

Crescent gave Aydan Edwards a fine present in his 100th game with a clinical 26-12 win over Clinton, at Kaitangata. Crescent started well, held on to the ball, recycled possession and allowed its backs to show off.

It was up 19-7 at halftime. In the second half, the home side used territory to its advantage and pinned Clinton inside its own half.It was a gutsy effort by the Clinton side but Crescent took maximum points. Lock Logan Mackie was huge for the home side. He got through a mountain of work and led by example. Clinton No8  Zac Dawson was strong.

NetballCompetition heavyweights Clutha and Black Gold fought out a tight match on Saturday.

Clutha pulled away 11-5 in the first quarter with excellent tight defence that caused Black Gold to turn over ball.

With Jemaig Miller having her first game back for Black Gold it was taking a little time for the attack to regain its usual rhythm and flair.In the second quarter, positional changes of Black Gold’s Hannah Phillips to goal keep and Amy Morrison to centre brought much-needed tightening of the court and Black Gold brought the scores to within two points. 

The third quarter was shaping up to be a close encounter with Mona Waikato and Miller working the shooting circle and moving the ball around before taking the shot for goal.

At the Clutha end, the attacks were finding Bailee Hutton holding well under the goal post and able to turn and pop the ball through the hoop.  At the end of the third quarter the score was 25-all.

The final quarter was a tough tussle that could have gone either way and it only took a misunderstanding in the Clutha attacking circle to turnover the ball in the dying minutes.

Black Gold snapped it up and scored at the other end to win the contest 34-33.

Player of the day for Clutha was Gemma Bradfield and Miller was the best for Black Gold.

Redwyns went down to SOHS A 28-15. Irie Rickus shot well for the school and Kayla Dent was the best for Redwyns.

Hillend came away with a 31-25 win against Southern P.

Southern will play School B in the promotion-relegation match tomorrow night.

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