5 minute read
Sport
Sun Sport
Bowler try seals college win
Advertisement
David Bowler’s late try proved decisive as Mt Aspiring College beat Otago Boys seconds 19-15 in Dunedin last weekend.
The result left three teams showing the way in the Otago Schools second division rugby competition and the current leaders – Dunstan and South Otago High – clash on Saturday while MAC travels to winless Taieri.
Saturday’s clash saw Otago boys lead twice – at the start and near the end when a penalty had them 15-14 up.
MAC put on the pressure and finally broke through thanks to a team effort initiated by Jacob Field from a quick tap. The ball went through several hands from one side of the field to the other for winger Bowler to score in the corner.
Despite opportunities in the last five minutes MAC could not get over the line again, coming agonisingly close several times as the opposition defence held firm.
“The team ground out a tough win on the road,” coach Gareth Howley said. “OBs did well to break our momentum when we were close to scoring which kept the game nice and tight. We had great leadership from our forwards who worked hard for the full match.”
Conditions were testing – the surface was damp and soft and gusty southerly winds swirled around the ground.
The home side started stronger and MAC was pinned in its own half before conceding the first try. The tide turned and MAC took control before being rewarded following a sustained attack by both forwards and backs when hooker Dane Morisawa dived down and Callum Meyer kicked the first of his two conversions.
Half back Jacob Field soon found a way to the try line, taking MAC out to a 14–5 lead but Otago Boys capitalised on an error late in the half to narrow the gap to 14-12.
A first half harvested 26 points, the second half just eight as MAC struggled to turn possession
Eligh Hollegien, flanked by team mates Jacob Field (left) and Cullen Meyer attempts to break through two tacklers during Saturday’s college encounter. into points before conceding a penalty which saw the lead change hands.
The same was then decided when Bowler finished off a sweeping move.
Colts bounce back
Upper Clutha Number 8 Fletcher Craig wins the ball at a line out during the win over Zingari Richmond. The Upper Clutha U21 Colts were back in winning form on Saturday as they scored a 32-0 win over Zingari Richmond in Dunedin.
While 100km/h wind gusts made for challenging conditions, the Wānaka side got the ball over the try line six times and put up an impressive defensive effort on their own line to keep the home team scoreless.
Captain Jake Jamieson (prop) was first to score, and Fletcher Craig (number 8) and Charlie Chisholm (loose forward) added to the tally before half time. Second five Zac Miller added a hat trick of three tries in second half tries. The last 10 minutes of the game saw Upper Clutha under pressure as Zingari mounted numerous attacks on the line but ultimately they could not break through the resolute defence.
Saffron elected
Wānaka footballer Saffron Miller has been named in the Southern United Under-18 squad. The 16-year-old shone during trials for the squad which drew players from Timaru to Invercargill. Southern will play in the National Youth League later this season.
All at sixes in nines…
Queenstown hosted the junior football on Sunday and seven Wānaka U9 sides made the trip across the hill. There was plenty of good football on display which included a 3-3 “classic” between Wānaka 9.4 and Wānaka 9.2. Ari Walker looked like he had done enough for 9.2 with some clinical finishing before late goals from Ollie Timpany and Sam McCulloch brought the teams level. In the other games Wānaka 9.1 took on a very strong Queenstown team and were given a passing masterclass - which they learned from, to win their next two games. Thomas Whipp delivered standout performances in all three games.
The third game was a great spectacle against an evenly matched Cromwell team in a see saw tussle that ended with Josh Aspinall hitting a winner from halfway as the wind and hail hit.
Revenge is served cold
Wānaka bounced back from the disappointment of being knocked out of football’s Chatham Cup by beating the same opponents in a chilly Dunedin in the latest series of Southern League premier matches.
The Upper Clutha Club scored a decisive 3-0 win over Otago university with Blair C Scoullar in outstanding form.
Thomas Tinka, Anthony Sprowson and Xion Lippe grabbed the goals, all in the second half, after Wānaka had battled into the wind in the first half, keeping a high line and allowing the hosts no time on the ball.
With the cold wind in their face, University struggled even more.
Some excellent midfield play allowed Tinka time for a half volley from 30 metres, which he rifled home over the keeper.
Wānaka, kept providing fresh legs and wasn’t long before a cross popped up for Anthony Sprowson to head home on the line.
University pushed forward late on but risked being caught on the break and Lippe had the energy to beat three players, go one on one with the keeper and calmly slot home in the 90th minute.
Wānaka take on Queens Park at the Rec Centre next Saturday as they look to extend their unbeaten league run against a side which has won one and lost six to date in the competition
Results: Queens Park 0 Roslyn Wakari 2, Dunedin City Royals 2 Queenstown 1, Northern Hearts 2 Mosgiel 3, Otago University 0 Wānaka 3, Northern 4 Green Island 0.
Artist’s impression
Brand new commercial opportunity
Artist’s impression
Northlake Commercial Centre, 5 Northlake Drive, Wanaka
In the heart of one of the fastest growing neighbourhoods in Wanaka, the Northlake Commercial Centre offers a mix of quality cafe, retail or office spaces. On offer are seven tenancies ranging in size from 48sqm (approx) to 558sqm (approx). These tenancies are available for lease with the opportunity to purchase. With the rapid growth of Northlake and with much more to come from future residential development, the completion of apartments and the ALTA villas, the local population is growing fast. If you need to increase your business profile, or are ready to start up your new enterprise, the opportunity here in Northlake is on offer now - construction is under way. This is an excellent opportunity to take on a brand new lease space in Northlake. Northlake Commercial Centre also offers the opportunity to purchase these units. bayleys.co.nz/226370
Artist’s impression
Price on Application Mat Andrews AREINZ
027 483 6261 mat.andrews@bayleys.co.nz
Scott McGoun
021 201 9029 scott.mcgoun@bayleys.co.nz
