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Otago Daily Times
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Excelsior win to claim second spot, earn life in upcoming playoffs
The Citizens Shield. Photo: Rugby In North Otago No surprises were sprung during the final round of the Citizens Shield on Saturday with the three leading teams all claiming wins. Excelsior beat Old Boys 33-22 to ensure they finish in second place on the ladder and earn a life when the playoffs start next weekend. However, Old Boys were the ones who started faster on Saturday. They dominated the opening 20 minutes with consistent pressure deep in Blues territory. Excelsior's defence hung on, but consistent penalties came to a head when Liam Direen was yellow-carded. Old Boys made them pay as Lenny Varu scored off a well-executed driving maul. Blues hit back with a long-range effort. Off a scrum, No 8 Oli Knopp spied some space on the blindside and took off. He then stabbed a kick ahead and Old Boys made a meal of it before Knopp dove on it to score. Blues had their second try immediately after. From the restart, they spun it wide to the left and Tevita Vonotabua found space as he dashed away. He was eventually brought down just past halfway and Blues went right. Seeing space, Josh Phipps put in a cross kick which Knopp reeled in, and he drew in the final defender to put winger Etika Qaranivalu in the corner. Alex Wilson kicked a penalty for Old Boys to stop the bleeding, but Blues scored just before and just after halftime to open up an 18-point lead. Old Boys needed a spark and got it from Junior Fakatoufifita. The barnstorming No 8 had been quiet up until this point but off a lineout he charged his way through multiple Blues defenders to score. Varu scored his second not too long after and Old Boys were back in it. However, when Malakai Tabiau scored for Blues, it pushed the lead a step too far and his side were able to hold on for the win. Tabiau was outstanding for Blues at blindside flanker. He was the busiest player on the field and was rewarded with a five-pointer. Phipps put in another strong showing in the No 10 jersey as well. Valley won their eighth straight game and will finish top off the table following their 34-22 win over Maheno. The green machine were impressive in the first 40 minutes but Valley flexed their muscles in the second half to get the win. Athletic Marist also had a big second-half effort to beat Kurow 44-21. The Red Devils led 14-10 at halftime before Athies ran in six tries in the second 40 to run away with the win.
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Valley holding pole position
Maheno first five Lachie Kingan shifts the ball with Toby Growcott in support. PHOTO: YAMMIE MCKENZIE PHOTOGRAPHY One team know exactly where they stand next week. The others can all still do a little shuffling after tomorrow's final round robin results in the North Otago premier club competition. The top four are already locked in as Valley, Excelsior, Athletic Marist and Old Boys. But Old Boys are the only team that know their fate and will remain in fourth spot for the Citizens Shield playoffs. They are on 24 points, and even if they secure a bonus-point win this weekend, they will not be able to move up the ladder. Old Boys were the unlucky ones last season when they missed out on the playoffs through a three-way tie for the final two playoff spots. Valley head into the final round in pole position. They have recorded eight wins and just one loss this season, and sit on top at 37 points. But Blues and Athies will be hoping to snaffle as many points as they can to edge their way up the table. Blues are second with a record of seven wins and two losses for 34 points, while Athies are third with six wins and three losses for 33 points. Maheno and Kurow are out of the hunt for the playoffs this season, but they can still have a say in where they finish — and where those in the playoff picture end up. Both country clubs have recorded just one win this season but Maheno are in fifth place on 11 points, having accrued seven bonus points. Kurow have four bonus points and sit on eight points overall at the bottom of the table. Athies got home 28-27 against Old Boys in an enthralling encounter last weekend, Blues had a big 61-34 win over Maheno, and Valley ran away 44-11 against Kurow. All eyes will be on Blues v Old Boys tomorrow, which shapes as the clash of the round, refereed by Jackson Henshaw, who is part of the national referee performance squad and has been an assistant in Super Rugby Pacific. Athies will make the trip up the Waitaki Valley to meet Kurow, and Maheno will host Valley.
Otago Daily Times
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Athletic Marist retain trophy
A chaotic final five minutes that had two lead changes ended with Athletic Marist being crowned the Pasifika kings of rugby again. They led Old Boys 25-20 late in their Citizens Shield round nine game on Saturday. Old Boys were able to work their way down the field and eventually into the Athies' 22m. Their forwards inched closer and closer to the line before halfback Tini Feke burrowed over under the posts. Alex Wilson knocked over the easy conversion to give Old Boys a two-point lead with time running out. They were able to secure the ball from the kick-off, but Athies won a penalty at the breakdown. They opted for the shot at goal, despite having at this point used two goal-kickers, neither of whom had made a single kick. A third kicker, Osea Qamasea, stepped up for his first attempt of the game, lined up from about 40m out, and nailed it. Athies led by one point, but Old Boys were not done yet. A sloppy clearance gave them one last crack. The Athies defence stood tall, however, and they escaped with the 28-27 win. It was the second annual clash for the Pasifika Kings of Rugby Bowl, which Athletic Marist retained. Earlier, it was Old Boys who set the tone early. They turned down an easy three points to take a quick tap which paid off as Sailosi Vea scored. Athies hit back with a try of their own from Mateo Qoliesse before Wilson knocked over a penalty for Old Boys. Athies then ran in three straight tries to build a 10-point lead. A brilliant individual try from Old Boys' Hopoate Finau, in which he beat three Athies defenders, made it a 20-17 game at halftime. Athies scored early in the second half before Wilson kicked a second penalty to set up the thrilling finish. Elsewhere, Valley stayed top of the table after a convincing 44-11 win over Kurow. Sporting special edition jerseys to honour the 20th anniversary of the undefeated 2005 side, they ran in seven tries to get the job done. The victory extends their win streak to seven in a row. Excelsior were dominant in their 61-34 win over Maheno. The sides combined for 15 tries and 95 points.
Otago Daily Times
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Top four set to face off
Things are starting to heat up in the Citizens Shield. There are likely to be some red-hot clashes tomorrow as teams return to the park after having last week off for King's Birthday. With three round-robin games remaining in North Otago, it is almost safe to say the top four are locked in. Athletic Marist, Valley, Excelsior and Old Boys have held those spots for much of the season — but the final standings from the quartet is anyone's guess. They have all held the top spot at some stage and there has been a lot of shuffling up and down the ladder in recent weeks. Kurow are still an outside chance to make the top four, but they would need three bonus-point wins and other results to go their way to sneak into the playoffs. Athies are at the top of the table with 28 points from their five wins and two losses, and eight bonus points. Valley are close behind on 27 points from their six wins and just one loss, and three bonus points. Blues, the defending champions, are now third on 25 points with a record of five wins, two losses, and five bonus points. Old Boys hold on to fourth spot with 22 points with four wins, three losses and six bonus points. The top four all face each other tomorrow, which is sure to add another raft of changes to the standings. Blues are home to Athies in round two of the battle of the carpark. Athies ran away with a 36-20 win last time against the defending champions. Old Boys host Valley in another intriguing clash. Valley secured a 26-24 victory in round one and the team from Weston continue to improve. They have won their past five games and only recorded one loss back in week two. Kurow are fifth on the table with eight points from their one win and six losses and four bonus points. Maheno, who have been hampered by injuries all season, are winless after seven games, but have five bonus points. They could be in for a humdinger of a game in Maheno tomorrow. Kurow got home with a 42-40 win in round one and the Red Devils nearly beat Old Boys in their last
Otago Daily Times
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Yet another intriguing race in the Citizens Shield
You probably know this story by now. It has been another tight race in the Citizens Shield this year and yet again there has been movement up and down the ladder — including a new leader. And while they might be taking a break for King's Birthday this weekend, there are still plenty of talking points from the first seven weeks in North Otago. Athletic Marist has returned to the top of the standings after they beat Maheno 46-33 last weekend. Athies captain Savenaca Rabaka scored twice in that game for his side, who is continuing to build nicely through the season. They held a 17-12 lead at halftime against a nuggety Maheno side in Oamaru and came home strong to score eight tries. Athies are clear at the top of the table with 28 points from their five wins and two losses, and eight bonus points. But Valley are hot on their heels though after a bright weekend for the Weston club. They scored a 20-13 victory against Excelsior in a repeat of last year's final and reversed their fortunes from a loss during round one. First five Isaac Clunie was sublime driving his team around the park and his boot helped put the pressure on early. Valley held a 10-3 at halftime and put in a huge defensive effort to keep Blues out from the line until late in the piece. The Weston side has also welcomed a couple of players from Japanese club Toyota Verblitz again this season after their recent arrival. They welcomed two players last season after coach Barry Matthews struck up a pathway with his friend, and former All Blacks coach, Steve Hansen, who is at the Japanese club. Valley are now on 27 points from their six wins, and just the one loss to Blues earlier, and three bonus points. Blues, who are the defending champions, are now third with their five wins, and two losses, and five bonus points. Old Boys hold on to fourth spot with 22 points, with their four wins, and three losses, and six bonus points. But they had a tight game up the Waitaki Valley against Kurow last week. Old Boys scored in the dying minutes to snatch a 33-32 victory against the Red Devils, who put in a big shift after trailing 19-14 at halftime. Kurow are fifth on the table with right points from their one win and six losses and four bonus points. Maheno, who have been hampered by injuries all season, are winless after seven games, but have five bonus points. Kurow and Maheno are out of the playoff contention with just the three round-robin games remaining, but they both have played some brilliant rugby and put in some big shifts against the rest of the competition.
