A last minute penalty goal by first five-eighth Glenn Dickson gave Pirates an 11-8 win over Taieri and kept them in second place in the Gallaway Trophy competition in Dunedin premier rugby today.
There was a big crowd watching the game at Hancock Park and Pirates win kept them in front of Alhambra-Union that won a nailbiter against Dunedin 19-17 at Kettle Park.
University A scored six tries to beat the hapless Zingari-Richmond 38-3 to get a bonus point and stretch its lead over Pirates to 10 points.
Southern ended its three game losing streak when it drew with Green Island 17-all at Miller Park.
The leading points scorers are: Chris Noakes (University A) 92, Luke Reihana (Alhambra-Union) 60, Hayden Parker (Taieri) 49, Craig Sneddon (Harbour) 47, Cam Rutherford (Kaikorai) 39, Glenn Dickson (Pirates) 37, Lewis Hancock (Southern) 37.
The points after seven rounds are: University A 32, Pirates 22, Alhambra-Union 21, Dunedin 18, Taieri 17, Southern 17, Kaikorai 16, Harbour 15, Green Island 7, Zingari-Richmond 0.
GREEN ISLAND.......................................17
SOUTHERN.............................................17
Green Island 17 (Mika Mafi, Frankie Elisara tries; Alex Davies 2 conversions, penalty goal), Southern 17 (Seb Hill 2 tries; Lewis Hancock 2 conversions, penalty goal). Halftime: Green Island 10-0.
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe.
KAIKORAI......................................33
HARBOUR.................................13
Kaikorai 33 (Dan Hyndman, Tomasi Palu, Mitchell Clarke, Jim Stevenson tries; Danny van der Voort 2 conversions, 3 penalty goals), Harbour 13 (Siaosi Folau try; Craig Sneddon conversion, 2 penalty goals). Halftime: Kaikorai 10-7).
Referee: Tim Baker.
UNIVERSITY A................................38
ZINGARI-RICHMOND......................13
University A 33 (David Thompson 2, Tom Halse, Hoanai Matenga, Sam Hall 2 tries; Halse 4 conversions), Zingari-Richmond 3 (Ben Bradley penalty goal). Halftime: University 14-3.
Referee: Jeff Grubb.
ALHAMBRA-UNION.......................19
DUNEDIN......................................17
PIRATES..................................... 11
TAIERI.............................................8
Pirates 11 (Marshall Suckling try; Glenn Dickson 2 penalty goals), Taieri 8 (Tom Davie try; Hayden Parker penalty goal). Halftime: Taieri 8-3.
Referee: Kirk Rae (Canterbury).
