|
COB given big fright by Varsity |
|
|
|
Written by Site Admin
|
|
Tuesday, 23 June 2009 |
A thriller for College Old Boys proved to be a heart-breaker for Varsity as the second round heated up at Massey University on Saturday.
COB won 30-27 by scoring a minute from time to remain unbeaten, while the students signalled they could be a Hankins Shield threat in a month's time.
It pleased COB coach John Cruden no end to see his side pushed for the second week in a row.
"Varsity played really well; they stepped up against us again," he said. "We seem to bring the best out in them."
Varsity went ahead with a late try to wing Max Pearson, who ran 40 metres after COB spilled the ball; but from the subsequent kickoff, they didn't take it cleanly, COB turned it over and scored the winner to make it 12 wins in a row this season.
The game see-sawed, but had Varsity's Scott Davidson not missed three penalties and a conversion, all kickable, it might have been a gap too far for COB.
Turbos prop Grant Polson had a big game for Varsity, who dominated the lineouts until the last quarter but were without first-five Isaac Thompson.
Junior Tomasi Cama looked fresh when he came on for the last half hour alongside Manawatu halfback Aaron Good.
COB had gone up 15-0 and looked ominous before a Dan Walden try took them to 15-7 at halftime.
A lineout drive put Varsity up 19-18, then COB scored and Varsity got an intercept to grab the lead back.
At Sport & Rugby Institute:
COB 30 (Andre Taylor 2, Duncan Walker, Ryan Bowater, tries; Taylor 2 pen, 2 con)
Varsity 27 (Dan Walden, Louis Booth, Avon Lewis, Max Pearson, tries; Scott Davidson 2 con, pen)
HT 15-7.
Kia Toa 35 Old Boys-Marist 10
This was such a romp for Kias they should have scored many more points and must be praying for a tough game after their last two hit-outs. OB-Marist were without Johnny Leota (in Australia) and Reece Robinson (injured) and Kias without Ma'ake Tu'ipulotu.
By contrast, OB-Marist's promise against COB was snuffed out by a lifeless effort on Saturday, their only try coming in the last second by their best player, lock Lisiate Fa'aoso.
Kurt Baker broke a tackle and scored from the kickoff. All Kias had to do was turn over the ball and go wide through quick hands because the OBM defence was brittle out wide. They couldn't contain men like Scott Curry and Tonga Folau. Halfback Joggie Viljoen ruled the game with his kicking off a surging forward pack.
OBM had enough ball but didn't show any threat in the backs aside from an occasional Toese Lealamanua burst. Kias kept ripping ball all game and scored five tries. Other to shine were Ben Kaufusi, Tony Mafi, Sitani Fa'aoso and Fraser Stone.
At FMG Stadium:
Kia Toa 35 (Kurt Baker, Tevita Taufui, Fraser Stone, Tonga Folau, Scott Curry, tries; Paul Tietjens 5 con)
OB-Marist 10 (Lisiate Fa'aoso try; Troy Smith pen; Sean Brown con)
HT 21-3.
Feilding 19 Linton Army 12
A strange game in which the score flattered the soldiers despite them leading 5-0 at halftime.
The Yellows came out firing in both halves, Linton spent the first 20 on defence as Feilding won quick ball and led by the Crosswell brothers, had Linton on the back foot. But against the run of play, Linton scored late in the half in one of their few breakouts.
Two quick tries after halftime took Feilding to 12-5, wing Dan Smith making huge ground to score two tries. Linton were shunted in the scrums, lost numerous tightheads and Feilding ruled the breakdowns. Linton had a good final 10 minutes, scoring a bonus -point try with the last play of the game. But the soldiers have the top three teams to play.
At Johnston Park:
Feilding 19 (Dan Smith 2, Nick Crosswell, tries; Aaron Smith, Brad Carr, cons)
Linton Army 12 (Casey Lowe, Sonny Woodmass, tries; Lloyd Carter con)
HT 0-5.
Te Kawau 31 FOB-Oroua 7
The Stags didn't want it enough in the high veld chill and the Real Blokes should've won by more as they hit their straps, even without Brent Thompson. Prop David Te Moana played the last half hour.
Te Kawau's old stagers Simon Easton, Bryan Matenga and Sam Leung-Wai stepped up and men like Doug Tietjens were going forward all game, in control up front. Even Matenga was in the bin, Te Kawau still screwed the scrum and got a tighthead.
The breakdowns were all Te Kawau as they charged through the middle of the inconsistent Stags. Down 24-7 with two minutes left, the Stags drove from a lineout, had the ball robbed and Te Kawau got their fourth try.
The Stags again tackled too high, were too lateral and couldn't penetrate.
At Kimbolton:
Te Kawau 31 (Craig Moore, Doug Tietjens, Sam Leung-Wai, Brent Hesselin, tries; Hesselin 4 con, pen)
FOB-Oroua 7 (George Taura try; Walker Jacobs con)
HT 24-0.
Bush 14 Freyberg 8
Pahiatua had the worst of the weather, a freezing southerly and rain until halftime but Bush didn't mind after their stunning second win in a row.
It was only a try each but Freys were pinned at their end for the first half as Bush used the strong wind. They played smarter rugby to lead 6-0 at halftime but it was soon 6-3.
Bush's try cam after repeated attacks on the line but the wind almost blew the conversion backwards.
Bush had the stronger lineout through locks Brandon Young and Sam Mitchell.
Freys' try came two minutes from time and their forwards did look fitter and more committed on Saturday, the best of them flankers Keni Wihongi and Karl Robinson.
Bush are now pushing strongly for a semifinal spot after a winless first round.
At Pahiatua:
Bush 14 (Jacob Tipene try; Jarrod Kearins 3 pen)
Freyberg 8 (Alipati Natoba try; Taha Wihongi pen)
HT 6-0. |
|
Click for Photo's
Varsity A - Mayoral Breakfast - Presentation
Date: 12/08/04
Views: 9
Who's Online
We have 118 guests online
|
|
