Sport

Premiers lose narrowly to Varsity

On a dark, wet day in dingy Dunedin, WAFC Premiers were looking to make it four from four in the Otago League playing against Otago University.

Both teams started brightly with ball play being fizzed around due to the conditions. Ten minutes in, Toa Roode hit a long-range effort at goal which missed narrowly, sailing over the bar.

Wānaka continued to battle and create chances from their set pieces when Paul Hodgson’s toe-poked an effort just wide when the ball dropped on the back post.

University grew into the game causing a lot of trouble through the middle of the park for Wānaka.

This led to a through ball which caught Thomas Van Hees the wrong side of the University striker bringing down the player and giving away a penalty. Wānaka’s No1, Josh Shackleton continued his good run of form, diving to his left and pushing the ball around the post. University continued to dominate for the next 10 minutes, with Shackleton pulling off further acrobatic saves.

With 35 minutes gone both teams were evenly matched. This was until Wānaka’s forward, Steve Pleskun, made two quick challenges causing himself to be booked twice and sent off. Wānaka tightened ranks, kept compact and reached the half time whistle at 0-0.

With the second half underway, Wānaka continued to keep compact and showed a do or die attitude for the whole second half, making their opponents more and more frustrated. Even with ten men, Wānaka created chances of their own. A lovely through ball from Thomas Tinka to Roode, narrowly missing Hodgson sliding in near the post.

Wānaka were looking set to grab a point and be happy with their days efforts, especially regarding the circumstances. However, University were to spoil Wānaka’s day and take all three points, when a tantalizing cross was whipped in. Wānaka tried to clear but unfortunately in not doing so, dropped to a University No 9 who tapped home to take all 3 points.

Man of the Match for Wānaka was keeper Josh Shackleton.

We now move on to next week, with Green Island at the Wānaka Recreation Ground, 2:45pm kick off on Saturday. This is followed by the second round of the Chatham Cup at home to Gore Wanderers.

– By Ian Bell

PHOTO: Clint Hughes

MAC full back Cullen Meyer with the ball. Solid win for MAC first XV

The MAC First XV team braved the elements last weekend to take on Wakatipu High school in Queenstown coming away with a hard fought 29-10 victory.

Wakatipu started the game well, dominating possession and making good ground. However MAC full back Cullen Meyer got play back up in the Wakatipu 22 with a great long range kick and when the home team dropped the ball, second-five Ben Simmers scooped it up quickly and scored a try to make it 7-0 to MAC.

It wasn’t too long before Wakatipu were back on attack and probing the MAC line when winger Zach Smith intercepted a pass, running the length of the field to score a try and MAC found themselves leading the game 12-0.

Both sides kicked frequently to keep play away from their try lines. Wakatipu continued to win this battle and eventually found a way through with their forwards to score and make it 12-5.

Once in possession MAC number 8 Otis Harry was able to bust through some tiring defence and score an individual try under the posts to make it a comfortable MAC lead at 19 -5 going into half time.

Early into the second half the game was held up for long periods due to injuries. Once play resumed MAC stepped up the intensity and Wakatipu struggled to stay with them. The MAC team showed great composure and controlled the ball well despite the wet and cold conditions. Eligh Hollegien found a way through to score, stretching the lead out to a comfortable 24 -5 and securing a bonus point.

The home team were able to mount one more challenge, getting over the line through their forwards to close the gap to 24-10.

MAC responded soon after with a well worked lineout drive, giving Eligh Hollegien a straight path to the line and scoring his second try of the game. It went unconverted and that was the end of the game, MAC coming away with a memorable 29 points to 10 win.

The team have a weekend off before travelling to Oamaru for a crucial match against Waitaki Boys which will more than likely decide which two teams are promoted into the premiership for round two .

– By Clint Hughes

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