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Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Southern United snatch shield in upset win
Southern United claimed the Challenge Shield with victory over Marist on Saturday night. Photo: Supplied Southern United will have one week to enjoy their Challenge Shield triumph before putting it on the line for the first time. The Stingers, currently sixth on the table but riding a three-game winning streak, pulled off a major upset on Saturday, beating previously unbeaten league leaders and former shield holders Marist 1-0 at Marist Park. Cameron Douglas's third-quarter goal and outstanding performances from goalkeeper Gareth Stewart and man-of-the-match Isaac Brydon saw them claim victory and take the shield off their opponents. It marks the first time Southern have held the prestigious shield since 2020. Southern centurion Ben Owers said he was 'stoked' to have the shield back with the club. 'We have a large number of new players with most of them unaware of the shield's history and importance,' he said. 'It was great to see us put in such a good performance against the competition leaders.' Second-place HSOB/Burnside was also upset 5-2 by Avon, while Carlton Redcliffs beat Hornby 2-1 and Harewood thrashed University 12-0. In the women's competition, Harewood retained the Challenge Shield and stayed top of the table thanks to a 9-0 win over University, while HSOB/Burnside (7-1 v Avon), Marist (6-0 v Southern), and Hornby (1-0 v Carlton Redcliffs) had wins. The competitions take a break this weekend due to Matariki. CPL men's points Marist 19; HSOB/Burnside 16; Carlton Redcliffs 16; Harewood 12; Avon 11; Southern United 11; Hornby 5; University 0 CPL women's points Harewood 24; HSOB/Burnside 19; Hornby 18; Marist 16; Carlton Redcliffs 9; Avon 6; University 3; Southern Utd 0
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
First-half blitz leaves shield with Dunedin
A wrap-up of premier league club rugby games played in Dunedin over the weekend. Dunedin 34 Green Island 22 Dunedin did enough in the first half to sew up the Speight's Challenge Shield for the summer as they finish the round with an away game and the bye. They scored four converted tries in the first half to grab a crucial five points to remain on top of the table and guarantee a top six spot. Dunedin started with a series of phase plays and eventually winger Kyan Rangitutia found a hole on the blindside and got them close, and No 8 Max Ratcliffe crashed over for the try inside the first six minutes. They then muffed the restart, GI pounced, and flanker Matt McCutcheon found himself in space on the outside and went over for the try to draw level at the 10-minute mark. But that was to be an aberration for the Sharks as GI started falling off tackles and Dunedin took full advantage. Flanker Jarius Losefa went through a gaping hole and stepped the fullback to go over untouched. Then hooker Fatai Koloi crashed over from a forward drive. Rangitutia scored the try of the game as he brushed off tacklers at will on a 40m surge to give Dunedin a commanding 31-10 lead at the break. GI started the second half in a more resolute manner and finally started controlling possession and territory. They scored two more tries from fired-up forwards close to the Dunedin line. The first was scored by prop Ben Lopas after they had hammered away inside the Dunedin 22m. Then, late in the half, Harrison Stout went over from a lineout drive to bring some respectability back into the scoreboard. Dunedin looked lethargic in the second half and left a couple of tries out on the park with some indifferent option taking. Prop Hunter Fahey, hooker Fatai Koloi and lock Curtis Palmer were strong on the carry and muscled up on defence for Dunedin. In the backs, Cam Burgess and midfielder Gene Te Amo stood up, and Rangitutia with his immense strength was the most dangerous back on the park. For GI, Lopas was into everything and never took a backward step. Loosie Amos Roddick carried strongly, and centre Riley Lucas was their best out wide. — Paul Dwyer Kaikorai 33 Southern 22 Kaikorai had a solid plan. They got after Southern playmaker Mackenzie Palmer and did a good job of shutting him down. The Magpies first five had several kicks charged down. He did not get the space he needed to organise the backline and got pressured into some hurried passes. The shift from Bathgate Park to the University Oval certainly helped Kaikorai more than their opponents. They got a dry ground and the sun was out. That helped nullify Southern's advantage in the scrum. Ultimately, they were more accurate than Southern, who produced a clumsy finish. Southern, who led 19-14 at the break, squandered a royal chance to build more scoreboard pressure. Fullback Levi Emery held on to it too long when Josh Buchan was nicely placed outside him. Early in the second half, Kaikorai fullback Charlie Breen put in a lovely chip and chase, and loose forward Orlando Tuhega-Vaitupu got in support to score. Southern regained the lead through a penalty to Palmer. But Slade McDowall busted through a couple of tackles and No 8 Phoenix Tapatu dived over. Then impressive centre Jake Fowler scooped up a loose pass from Palmer and sprinted 50m to score to seal the win. He made a dazzling run in the first half to help set up another try. Harry Taylor was outstanding for Southern. He nabbed a lot of lineout ball, including a critical steal when Kaikorai were hard on attack. Josh Timu showed some good gas and looked dangerous before he was subbed in the second half. — Adrian Seconi Taieri 88 Alhambra-Union 12 Taieri showed a different side of themselves. They demolished Alhambra-Union by 76 points at the University Oval. No surprises there. The Broncos have been poor this season. They have a chronic inability to tackle, and they fade away in the second half. But Taieri played more rugby than fans have come to expect. They usually shine on defence and have been clinical in turning pressure into points. They are extremely well-organised. Methodical, even. But they put on some razzmatazz out wide. The Whaanga brothers — Matt and Josh — combined brilliantly, and winger Marc Roony nabbed three tries. Lock Sam Fischli made several star appearances behind the defensive line after ploughing his way through some feeble tackles. Fullback Reef Newdick has some X-factor and pace. He did blot his copybook with a yellow card for an infringement. First five Sam Waitoa slotted nine conversions and scored a try in a 23-point haul. AU did reasonably well to contain Taieri to a 31-7 lead at the break, but the wheels feel off in the second spell. The Thode twins continue to shine each week. Oliver dived over from the base of a ruck, and William drilled the conversion from wide out. They have a spark about them, those two. Connor Aldrich scored a late consolation try for AU. — Adrian Seconi Harbour 82 Zingari-Richmond 24 Harbour's Rique Miln made up for missed opportunities, after missing the past six rounds through an ankle injury and stalling his points tally on 71, when he made a starring return in Harbour's win at Montecillo. The first five scored two of Harbours 12 tries and converted 11 for a tally of 32 points to become the first player in division 1 this season to crack three figures. Despite tenacious defence from a Zingari-Richmond side forced to promote 11 players from the colts grade, Harbour dominated the opening 10 minutes, jumping out to a 12-0 lead. But tries in quick succession to hooker A-One Lolofie and second five Tama Apineru locked the game up at 12-12 heading into the second quarter. Zingari dominated most of the second quarter, but Harbour scored twice against the run of play to take a 26-12 lead into the break. Harbour bolted out of the blocks straight from the restart, hooker Gabriel Francesconi scoring the first of his two tries in the opening minutes to set alight an eight-try scoring blitz from the Hawks. Despite the scoreline blowing out, Zingari remained in the game with some telling line-breaks and defensive work. Lock Ciaran Jansen had the final say when converting a try by fellow lock Simon Pupuali'i in the final act of the game to help mark his 100th premier game for the Colours. Both Jansen and Pupuali'i featured in a Zingari tight five that worked tirelessly throughout to snuff out the myriad threats posed by the big Harbour pack. In the backs, Reef Jolly and Tevita Tui featured out wide on debut with fullback Jerome Buckley-Fa'atoia. For Harbour, Miln and halfback Nathan Hastie set alight a dangerous backline. Up front, Francesconi and props Darius Fidow and Ben Fakataha proved a handful while creating opportunities for the rest of the pack to attack from and building a solid platform for the inside backs. — Wayne Parsons Round 12 The scores Dunedin 34 (Max Ratcliffe, Jarius Losefa, Fatai Koloi, Kyan Rangitutia tries; Cam Burgess 4 con, 2 pen) Green Island 22 (Matt McCutcheon, Ben Lopas, Harrison Stout tries; Liam Barron 2 con, pen). Halftime: Dunedin 31-10. Kaikorai 33 (Henry Bell, Taine Hand, Orlando Tuhega-Vaitupu, Phoenix Tapatu, Jake Fowler tries; Ben Miller 4 con) Southern 22 (Isileli Otunuku, Josh Buchan, Lotu Solomona tries; Mackenzie Palmer 2 con, pen). Halftime: Southern 19-14. Taieri 88 (Marc Rooney 3, Riley Allan 2, Taylor Fiddes, Reef Newdick, Matt Whaanga, Sireli Kawa Buliruarua, Jak Morton, Sam Fischli, Sam Waitoa, Josh Whaanga, Thomas Bolton tries; Waitoa 9 con) Alhambra-Union 12 (William Thode, Connor Aldrich tries; William Thode con). Halftime: Taieri 31-7. Harbour 82 (Rique Miln 2, Jeff Ikani 2, Willy Tufui 2, Gabriel Francesconi 2, Nathan Hastie, Luca Fuller, Toni Taufa, Saimone Samate tries; Milne 11 con). Zingari-Richmond 24 (A-One Lolofie, Tama Apineru, Jerome Buckley-Fa'atoia, Simon Pupuali'i tries; Buckley-Fa'atoia con, Ciaran Jansen con). Halftime: Harbour 26-12. Standings P W D L F A B Pts Dunedin 11 9 0 2 377 176 8 44 Taieri 11 8 0 3 407 223 10 42 Kaikorai 11 7 0 4 412 276 7 35 Southern 10 6 0 4 431 216 9 33 Green Island 11 6 0 5 344 291 9 33 Harbour 10 6 0 4 346 311 9 33 University 10 5 0 5 345 310 7 27 Zingari-Richmond 11 1 0 10 249 588 5 9 Alhambra-Union 11 0 0 11 179 169 2 2
Otago Daily Times
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Momona in day of upsets
It was a day of upsets in the premier women's competition on Saturday, with Momona leading the charge, surprising the previously unbeaten Kings United Royals 3-2, to take the Challenge Shield off their hands. From the word go, the game was back and forth, Momona intent on walking away with the shield. Their early pressure went unrewarded though, Kings then able to grow into the game. The league leaders provided the first real moment of quality, Nina Murphy able to glide through the midfield, before slipping a ball in behind to Sarah Jennings, who tucked it away from close range. It could have been a killer for Momona, but they responded by going straight back, where Sorrell Shand dropped deep, before driving across three defenders, allowing her to unleash a worldie of a reverse to level things up on quarter time. Nothing of note happened through the second quarter, the game becoming increasingly cagey. There was the odd missed chance in the third, but nothing ultimately happened until Millie Calder snuck one into the back of the net, giving Momona a priceless lead. Things became desperate for Kings, but they duly responded, as McKaela Woodward responded with a goal inside a minute after the restart. It was short-lived relief though, as with Kings down a player, Louisa Kotkamp was able to bury what ultimately proved to be the winner for Momona with ten minutes to play. It was a masterclass in game management from the ladies in red, who have once again blown the grade wide open. The upsets didn't stop there either, as the in-form University Huskies stunned the City Highlanders 2-1. It was not all pretty for the students, but a penalty corner goal in the second and third quarters gave them enough of a buffer, as they defended stoutly to get over the line to what is a huge victory for their season. In the day's other game, the Taieri Tigers routed the University Stingrays 4-0, Katie Garrett bagging a well-taken brace. The Tigers will be hoping this can kick-start a revival to their stumbling season. In the men's side of things, it was again the James Nicolson show for the Taieri Tuataras, as they escaped with a 3-1 win over the Kings United Cobras. A scrappy Charles Darling drag flick was enough to fool the Taieri defence early on, and with Taieri struggling, it looked like they would slip to defeat, but a drag flick from Nicolson was followed by a belting strike at the near post, breaking Kings hearts. With the keeper off, Oliver Battrick completed the comeback by popping it into an empty net. Elsewhere, a resolute effort from the University Whales was not enough, as they fell 4-2 to the Albany Alligators. The Gators again just had too much fire power, with usual suspects Jack Cotton and Nic Finlayson doing the damage at the start of the fourth quarter. The Southland Barbarians won 3-2 in the bottom of the table clash with the University Stingrays. By Nicholas Friedlander
Otago Daily Times
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Youthful side end City Highlanders' reign
PHOTO: ODT FILES After a reign that stretched over 900 days, the City Highlanders have ceded the Challenge Shield to the exciting, young Kings United Royals side, after falling to a 3-2 defeat. Despite the Royals heading in on top of the table and unbeaten, with the shield being up for grabs, this would be a tough test. Kings made the best possible start to the challenge though, as Madi Lobb fired home inside the first three minutes. City didn't panic though and after working a couple of penalty corners, it was one that went slightly array that got them back on level terms. After it broke down on the top, Hayley Cox went to a good old-fashioned straight hit, and it caught the Royals off-guard. The game was surprisingly open, with chances at both ends kept out by Rachael Lecky and Lily Le Brun in the second quarter, before Lobb stuck away her second just before halftime. City were not going to go down without a fight though, again equalising at penalty corner time. This one was far more routine, a spot deflection from Tessa Jopp giving Lecky next to no chance. Back on level terms, the Highlanders really began to turn the screw, dominating the rest of the third quarter and continuing it on into the fourth. They wanted the win, but equally, a draw would have been good enough for them to retain the shield. They had all the territory to start the final stanza, but one chance against the run of play was all Kings would need. They got the ball down into the attacking 25, before a hopeful diagonal took the faintest of touches off Chloe Deerness' stick, on its way into the back of the net. There was still 10 to play, but the Highlanders were beaten this time, failing to properly test Lecky before time expired. It was jubilation for the Royals, who add the shield to their earlier Toast Cup victory. Elsewhere in the premier women's grade, Momona were again off the boil, but they still chalked up a 4-1 win over the University Stingrays. In the late game, a late Ella Rogers goal saw the University Huskies sneak to a 1-0 win over the Taieri Tigers. Due to scheduling changes, there was also a shield game in the premier men's competition, but there was to be no boilover, as the Taieri Tuataras pounded the University Whales 4-0. It was a fairly dour game, but James Nicolson bagged a hat-trick to ease his side home. The other two games were hopelessly one-sided, as the Albany Alligators registered 15 goals again, downing the Panthers 15-0 as Jack Cotton got himself another five-goal haul. Down in Southland, it was a special day for the Nation family, as 15-year-old Max Nation scored a hat-trick on premier debut, playing alongside his father James, as the Kings United Cobras cruised to a 9-0 win over the Barbarians. By Nicholas Friedlander
Otago Daily Times
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Young players step up for Tuataras
A young Taieri Tuataras side eased to an 8-1 win over the University Panthers in the Dunedin premier men's clash on Saturday, keeping a firm grip on the Challenge Shield. With some of the more experienced Tuas players set to be unavailable over the back half of the season, coach Jarrod Casey took the chance to field several youngsters from the in-form division two table-toppers, the Taieri Geckos, attempting to build some depth for the future. As a result, Taieri were a little slow to get going, though first-half goals to James Nicolson, Zeke Buschl, Solomon Baldock and Alex McDonald meant they were never in any danger of losing the contest. To the Panthers' credit, they were more resolute defensively than they have been so far this season and continued to work hard with limited counter-attacking opportunities. Nicolson added his second goal midway through the third quarter, but there was some reward for University when Tom Foster duffed a shot, which totally deceived the Taieri goalkeeper, and the ball dribbled into the back of the net. Taieri responded by speeding up play through the centre of the field. A second goal to Baldock followed, before debutant James Broderick got on the scoresheet. Hugo Maitland rounded out the scoring with a well-taken stroke. Best for the Tuas on the day were the Meder brothers, Baxter and Thomas, in the defensive midfield area, both proving to be absolute workhorses. Buschl was also classy as always. At the same time, the Albany Alligators were showing zero mercy to the Southland Barbarians, chalking up a 15-0 win. From a competition perspective, it was a highly disappointing outcome, and a real step back for the Southlanders, who nearly tipped up the University Whales a week earlier. Jack Cotton scored five goals, while Nick Parata, Josh Stevens and Hamish Davenport all walked away with doubles to their name. In the other men's game, defence was deemed optional in the first half, as Charles Darling slotted home a dragflick midway through the second quarter for his Kings United Cobras side, making it 3-2 at that juncture. Earlier, the University Whales had managed to take the lead, but that was as good as it got as they succumbed to a 5-3 defeat, keeping the Cobras in touch with the Tuas and Alligators. In the premier women's competition, the University Huskies were the big winners, picking up a shootout win over Momona. In the driving rain, the Huskies really wanted it, and they were deserving of the extra point, which sees them close the gap on Momona in third. Elsewhere, both the Kings United Cobras and City Highlanders picked up big 7-0 wins over the University Stingrays and the Taieri Tigers respectively. — Nicholas Friedlander
