Images and stories from the grassroots New Zealand Rugby
This one was dictated by the wind! Taieri’s kicking was inaccurate and often charged down which just gave possession and territory back to Green Island who always looked in control.
Premier Results:
Green Island defeated Taieri – 29 – 5 (Halftime: 17-0)
University defeated Alhambra Union – 37 to 25 (Halftime: 20-20)
Kaikorai defeated Harbour – 29 to 26 (Halftime 19 to 5)
Southern defeated Zingari Richmond 50 to 7 (Halftime: 24 – 0)
The day was meant to be one of celebration for the Zingari Richmond side as veteran loose forward Chris Bell brought up his 300th Premier match for the Montecillo based side. However, it was Green Island fullback Finn Hurley who ran show, showing all his skills to ensure his Grizzlies side banked a 34 to 21 win.
Premier Results:
Green Island defeated Zingari Richmond – 34 to 21 (Halftime: 15-7)
Southern defeated Alhambra Union – 81 to 7 (Halftime: 29-0)
Harbour defeated University – 15 to 13 (Halftime 10-10)
Dunedin defeated Kaikorai 23 to 10 (Halftime: 10-10)
In all probability, it is hard to see this record ever being broken – 300 Premier games. Having made his debut for the Zingari Richmond Premier side in 2003, today Chris Bell made his 300th appearance for the side. The most of any player across any club as there is no documented evidence of anyone else reaching that milestone in the Dunedin premier grade rugby.
Well, it was a gloomy one out there today as low cloud, wind and occasional misty rain took over Dunedin city. Jackets, gumboots and plenty of layers was needed this afternoon for my trek around the grounds. I started the day at Bishopscourt covering a Colts match before heading over to Bathgate Park for the annual V.G. Cavanagh match between Southern and University.
The Cavanagh Memorial means an awful lot to both sides, so it will be Southern celebrating having claimed a 29 to 27 victory this afternoon. At Montecillo, Zingari Richmond won the W Scoles Memorial with a 39 to 20 win over Harbour, while at Kettle Park in the battle for the Fitzgerald/Walker Cup it was Dunedin that came away with a 40 to 0 victory.
At Bishopscourt where the Kaikorai Club are celebrating their 140th Anniversary, Kaikorai took the honours with a 22 to 10 to win.
Speaking of milestones being celebrated this weekend in Owaka, referee Nigel McLachlan is controlling his 150th premier match. He brings up this impressive milestone with the fixture between West Taieri and Owaka. Congratulations Nigel and best of luck.
Congratulations to West Taieri club legend Kent Duncan who plays his 200th game for the West Taieri club against Owaka this weekend. With the length of the club season and the amount of games teams play, reaching this milestone a truly worthy achievement. Best of luck and go well in Owaka this weekend.
Is one had spice! Every tackle meant something and every tackle hurt! These were two sides that weren’t going to give an inch over 80 minutes and it was Crescent that came out on top.
Early on, it was West Taieri that took the lead through the boot of Callum Smeaton before Crescent struck back with two tries to take a 14 to 9 lead into halftime. Following the break, further Smeaton penalties put West Taieri back in front before Crescent took control of the match. They scored converted tries in the 61st and 66th minutes and added a late penalty to claim an impressive victory on Outram.
If this match taught us anything, it’s that West Taieri remain a tough team to beat and that at this stage, Crescent are more than up to the task to be a major player in this year’s competition.
Southern 77 – Harbour 19
It’s not often the Harbour faithful have to watch their side go down at Watson Park, let alone conceded over fifty! Yet, a rampant Southern side dominated from start to finish to claim a solid 77 to 19 victory.
Despite the final scoreline, it was Harbour that opened the scoring with tries to No 8 Noaese Foaitua and halfback Tetauru Cuthers. That was the spark the Southern side needed as they went on to run in 7 first half tries to take a 50-12 lead at halftime. Another 5 tries in the second half ensured Southern secured a healthy victory over a Harbour team that was looking for a good performance to celebrate Solomon Pole’s 150 preimier match.
For Southern, Highlanders lock Pari Pari Parkinson was a domiatant figure, as was Harry Taylor and Jordan Dwight while in the backs Josh Timu, Levi Emery and Mackenzie Palmer were constant threats.
