Around The Grounds
The Highlanders
The Highlanders went close again last Saturday before eventually going down by 20 points to the Crusaders. After beating the Chiefs by 1 point, going down to the Blues by 3 points, the Highlanders were right in the match with 10 minutes to play.
Possibly the biggest loss of the night was the season ending injury to University and Otago lock Josh Dickson. He now joins James Lentjes, Sione Misiloi, Tevita Nabura, Conor Garden-Bachop, Sam Gilbert and Thomas Umaga-Jensen who all have suffered season ending injuries.
Unfortunately, both Lentjes and Dickson were looking to have big seasons for the Highlanders. Lentjes had been named as captain for the season and Dickson who was developing a real presence around the park and in the lineout. We now await tomorrows clash with the Hurricanes with interest.
Club Rugby
At Miller Park, Harbour defeated a spirited Green Island side 25 – 21 to claim their first win of the season. Harbour got on the board early in both half’s through tries to left wing Mone Samate-Palu who made the most of both opportunities.
In both halves, the Green Island side pulled themselves back into the contest after conceding early points. In the second half, after being down 25 – 14, a late try to the Green Island side brought the score within 4 points at the final whistle.
Around the grounds in other Premier matches this afternoon, Southern claimed the prestigious V.G. Cavanagh trophy 19 – 17 at Bathgate Park, Dunedin defeated Zingari Richmond 40 – 29 at Montecillo while Taieri got home over Kaikorai 32 – 31 at Peter Johnson Park.
In Premier Women’s competition, perennial heavy weights Pirates and University clashed at Hancock Park with University running out 29 – 10 winners. In Oamaru, at Whitestone Park the Alhambra Union defeated Waitaki Wahine 58 – 5.
P.S. Both galleries from today’s matches will be updated tomorrow.
Results From Around The Grounds
Metro Premier Men
Southern defeated University, 19 – 17
Dunedin defeated Zingari Richmond, 40 – 29
Taieri defeated Kaikorai, 32 – 31
Harbour defeated Green Island, 25 – 21
Metro Premier Women
University defeated Pirates, 29 – 10
Alhambra Union defeated Waitaki Wahine, 58 – 5
Metro Premier Development
Dunedin defeated Kaikorai, 28 – 25
University defeated Taieri, 20 – 17
Southern defeated Green Island, 24 – 19
Alhambra Union defeated Eastern, 25 – 24
Central Premier
Wakatipu defeated Alexandra, 47 – 0
Maniototo defeated Cromwell Cavaliers 48 – 8
Upper Clutha defeated Matakanui 32 – 17
Cromwell defeated Arrowtown 34 – 33
Southern Premier
West Taieri defeated Clutha 45 – 29
Toko defeated Owaka 25 – 21
Clutha Valley defeated. Heriot 20 – 17
Crescent defeated Clinton 39 – 14
Harbour first five Toka Sopoaga during the Dunedin Premier club rugby match between Green Island and Harbour played at Miller Park in Dunedin, on Saturday 11th July, 2020. John Caswell/http://www.caswellimages.com
Harbour defeated Green Island 25 – 21