Rugby: Varsity A in dramatic comeback win

Hanipale Galo (Southern) holds on to the legs of Kendrick Lynn as he scores a decisive try in University’s win today at Forsyth Barr Stadium. Photo by Paul Langley

Tony Ensor provided too elusive for Alhambra Union today in his sides 20-15 win at Forsyth Barr Stadium. Photo by Paul Langley

Pirates wing Marshall Suckling slips threw a gap in the Harbour backline, in the early stages of the match between Harbour and Pirates played at Watson Park. Photo by John Caswell

Marshall Suckling (Pirates) is caught in the tackle of Harbour Lock Hale T-Pole, while hooker Peter Mirrielees catches him with a high tackle around the head. Photo by John Caswell

Second five George Folau (Harbour) attempts to fight off Marshall Suckling on the Harbour goal-line. Photo by John Caswell

Harbour captain and halfback Johnny Legg takes the direct route through the Pirates forward pack as flanker Naoki Kuwata clings on to him. Photo by John Caswell

Harbour replacement Angus Duckett times his pass to fullback Ollie Cuthill in the Second Half of their clash at Watson Park. Photo by John Caswell

Fullback Ollie Cuthill (Harbour) is caught around the shoulders by Steve Bruce while team mates Angus Duckett and Peter Mirrielees arrive in the background. Photo by John Caswell

No 8 Paul Grant spearheaded a dramatic comeback by University A when they beat Southern 52-33 to regain the Cavanagh Trophy in Dunedin premier rugby today.

Southern led 33-17 after 10 minutes in the second spell but the students came back in style to score five tries and 35 unanswered points in the last half hour.

It was the feature game of the double header at the Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Fullback Tony Ensor stole the show and used his dramatic pace to score a try and make another one to help Kaikorai to a 20-15 win over Alhambra-Union in the early game at the stadium.

Flanker Gareth Evans continued his aggressive form to help Dunedin to a seven try 49-17 win over Zingari-Richmond at Kettle Park.

Harbour went on the rampage in the second spell to score five tries and 29 points when they beat Pirates 45-5 at Watson Park.

Green Island squandered an early advantage to succumb to a more disciplined Taieri side 30-17 at Peter Johnstone Park.

UNIVERSITY A..............................................52

SOUTHERN..................................................33

University A 52 (Kenny Lynn, Stephen Fenemor, Nick Annear, Paul Grant, Hamish Turley, Paddy Ryan, Guy Schwikaard tries; Fenemor 7con, pen), Southern 33 (Apelu Alapati, Luke Herden 2, Ben Patston, Warren Moffat tries; Patston 4 con). Halftime: Southern 19-17.

For more photos from this game click here

KAIKORAI..............................................20

ALHAMBRA-UNION.........................................15

Kaikorai 20 (Tony Ensor, Dan Hyndman tries; Cam Rutherford 2 con, 2 pen), Alhambra-Union 15 (Peter Breen, Tom Dougherty tries; Breen con, pen). Halftime: Kaikorai 17-10.

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DUNEDIN.............................................49

ZINGARI RICHMOND............................17

Dunedin 49 (Ashton Tuck, Brad Webber, Mark Atkins, Gareth Evans, Fraser Lau, Robert Maxwell 2 tries; Pera Gibbs 7 con), Zingari-Richmond 17 (Kelly Moore, Nathan Napier Ma'afu Fia tries; Christian Walker con). Halftime: Dunedin 28-17.

TAIERI.........................................................30

GREEN ISLAND............................................17

Taieri 30 (Willis Scott, Michael Collins, Rhys Collins, Ben Nowell tries; Andrew Reid 2 pen; Nowell 2 con), Green Island 17 (Mika Mafi, Sam Eriepa tries; Joe Bartlett 2 con, 1 pen). Halftime: 17-11 Green Island.

HARBOUR........................................45

PIRATES...........................................5

Harbour 45 (Ollie Cuthill, Johnny Legg, Hale T-Pole, Hadley May 3 tries; Cuthill 3 con, 3 pen), Pirates 5 (Poamo Aiiloilo try). Halftime: Harbour 16-5.