Varsity saw of the challenge from Linton Army surprisingly easy in the Hankins Shield semi final that was played out at the Ashhurst Domain on Saturday the 5th August winning 22 - 6.

Quite why the Union decided on playing both semi-finals on these grounds is hard to fathom. They were not up to scratch for players or spectator's and the facilities out there could not cope with the numbers of people. Poor effort MRFU.

Playing into the strong win in the first half, Varsity scored first through a try by prop Con Williams, which was duly converted by first Five Isaac Thompson. Linton struck back with a penalty, and then another to their first five Cody Hall.

Just before the break a Varsity attack and drive up the middle of the park forced Linton to commit a penalty at the breakdown and Isaac Thompson slotted the penalty to take the score to 10-6. The score remained this at the break.

Turning to play in the second half with a strong wind at it's back the game was effectively over when big Linton prop Kelly Allan was sinbinned for fighting. A number of line out drives from lineout ball won by either Leon Power or Alex Waite were repulsed by Linton. Eventually the Linton defence cracked,  with the man still in the bin, and Number 8 Blair 'Webo' Robinson scored on the blindside from a ruck.

The game was largely played in the Linton half, and when they tried to run the ball out, Varsity defence often caught them behind the advantage line and their main attacking weapon was one off runners, or trying to get it as far as former Manawatu rep 2nd five Matt Oldridge to crash the ball up. It was typically brainless Army rugby!

The final try of the match went to replacement Varsity Flanker James 'Kingi' Oakes, after a clever little chip and chase from first five Thompson found some space in behnd the flat Linton defence, and the inside ball to Oakes allowed him to charge in for the try which was converted by Thompson.
Check out the Video Gallery and download this try

The final 15 minutes of the game saw Linton throw everything into attack, and while they spent the bulk of this in the Varsity 22, they could not cross the line as the organised Varsity defence repulsed wave after wave of Army massed ranks. Next time bring a LAV III Army boys.

At Ashhurst Domain:
Varsity 22 (Con Williams, Blair Robinson, James Oakes tries; Isaac Thompson 2 con, pen)
Army 6 (Cody Hall 2pen)
HT 10-6.

Other Varsity Semi Final Results

Rams 25 - 5 HSOB
Colts 22 - 3 Dannevirke

Other Senior One Semi Final 

COB 13 - 7 FOB 

What the Evening Standard has reported.  One eyed fawning over COB as expected.

College Old Boys had one of its worst Thursday trainings last week but came out and had one of its best games in the club semifinals at Ashhurst on Saturday.