Club Rugby: 29-unanswered points propels Woodlands to victory
Woodlands racked up 29 unanswered points against Pirates-Old Boys to keep its sublime start to the 2023 season intact.
Southland’s premier club rugby competition is tightening up with a series of close contests on Saturday. Logan Savory wraps the action, starting with the top-of-the-table clash at Woodlands.
Woodlands racked up 29 unanswered points against Pirates-Old Boys to keep its sublime start to the 2023 season intact.
Woodlands and Pirates-Old Boys both went into Saturday’s fixture at Woodlands on Saturday without a loss next to their name through the first four rounds.
Defending champion Woodlands had been particularly destructive scoring a remarkable 33 tries through its first four games.
But 19-5 down in the first half they looked to have met their match in the form of Pirates-Old Boys.
Pirates-Old Boys racked up three tries through Levi Gage, Dusty Coveney, and Jonacani Vuetivavalagi to give them a handy lead.
But 18-year-old Josh Evans produced a pivotal play to change the momentum somewhat. He charged down a kick and chased through to score to bring it back to 19-10 at the halftime break.
From there Woodlands started to take over scoring 24-unaswered second half points to pull away to the 34-19 victory.
They did it without veteran hooker Jason Rutledge who was a late withdrawal with a hamstring twinge.
Woodlands coach Richard Jones conceded the scoreline was probably flattering but was pleased with what was produced in the second half.
He was encouraged by what was delivered when they were put under some pressure and the impact the bench had on the game - which included the introduction of the experienced Marty McKenzie.
Yet again outside back Viliame Fine was a key figure for Woodlands.
“Big Vili is pretty dangerous. He’s quite strong but he’s also got a very good work ethic. He’s one of those guys who does a lot of extra work before trainings. He’s quite driven so it’s good that he’s having a strong season so far.”
Evans was another standout for Woodlands. He was one of three 18-year-olds in the Woodlands pack on Saturday.
Pirates-Old Boys coach Ben McHugh was encouraged by the start to the game as it matched Woodlands physically and the likes of halfback Josh Murrell made plenty of inroads.
But he was disappointed they couldn’t finish the job.
“It was the old adage of a game of two halves….. We looked sharp but we just let ourselves down, it was a bit of game management really. The second half they just had the energy.”
Murrell, Jacob Harrex, and Jaye Thompson were standouts for Pirates-Old Boys.
It was the much-wanted scalp that eluded Midlands, but you can sense a buzz within the Winton-based outfit at the moment in their quest to prove a point in Southland’s premier club ranks.
After encouraging showings against the Eastern-Northern Barbarians, Woodlands, and Pirates-Old Boys Midlands looked set to deliver the upset they were searching for in round five on Saturday.
It shot out to a 17-0 lead against Blues in Invercargill. They put themselves in an attacking position to go 24-0 up but found themselves down the other end of the field as Blues instead made it 17-7.
Blues then took over for the remainder of the half as they went from 17-0 down to 24-17 leaders at halftime.
Midlands coach Brendan Dennis said the second half became “a bit of tennis match” as the two teams traded points and it was Blues who eventually held on to the 36-31 win.
“It was one that got away,” Dennis said.
“[But] the boys have got real intent in what we are wanting to achieve as a group and they wanting to play some exciting football and move the ball around. I think we made some big steps towards that [against Blues].”
Dennis said they probably lost a bit of concentration through the game, but the team was still maturing in that sense.
“It’s new territory for us, but we settled down at halftime and got back into the game.”
While winless to date Midlands has been a success story in how competitive the team has been as they continue to establish themselves in the premier ranks after many seasons in the next tier division one competition.
They are often doing it against teams with a scattering of contracted semi-professional rugby players.
“[We’re] working lads who love rugby, but do extras outside to be better for the team.”
Jack Keen was a key figure at first five-eighth for Midlands, while Logan Nicholson was another standout. Captain Joe Robins always play well, while No 8 Aaron Watson stood up in his first premier outing.
It was a special day for Blues looseforward Connor Morrison who celebrated his 50th outing with the win.
It was the case of the next generation emerging. In many different ways.
Marist registered its first victory in 2023 on Saturday with a 31-24 win over Star at Waverly Park in Invercargill.
It also marked the start of lock Hunter Areaiiti-Burgess’ senior club rugby days.
The teenage lock, in his first year out of Southland Boys’ High School, follows in his father Nathan’s footsteps who was a stalwart at lock for Marist over many years.
Added to that was the fact his locking opponent on Saturday was Josh Bekhuis.
It was a case of the master and the apprentice. The Highlanders under-20 player against the Highlanders veteran.
Marist player-coach Scott Eade - who is also Rugby Southland’s academy manager - said it was a nice moment for the young lock.
“His first senior game going up against Josh, it was pretty impressive. Especially in the lineout, our lineout had been our big Achilles heal but it was good overall [on Saturday.”
Marist opened the scoring through blindside Aleki Saili after about 10 minutes and lead for the entire game, including being up 24-12 at halftime.
Wing Hughan Sharp scored a brilliant individual try four minutes into the second half to bring it back 24-19 but Marist quickly responded to make it 31-19.
In what could be an important moment later in the season, Star did score in the final act of the game through Hayden Edgley to secure a bonus point.
Eade said some of the skill execution from both teams was probably poor in the second half but he added that was certainly a physical contest.
Openside flanker Jackson Bevin was outstanding for Marist, as was its wing Lotu Tanginoa.
For Star, No 8 Jordan Stewart carried the ball strongly, as did centre Fale Iosefa.
DIVISION ONE
Albion 22 - Wyndham 20
Tokanui 24 - Waikaka/Riversdale 10
Te Anau 24 - Drummond-Limehills-Star 10
Edendale 42 - Pioneer 12
DIVISION TWO
(CJ Soper Memorial)
C J SOPER MEMORIAL
Riverton 83 - Pioneer 10
Mataura 33 - Waiau Star 28
Mossburn 24 - Ohai Nightcaps-Otautau 17
Bluff 49 - Bush Pirates 26
(Life Members Trophy)
Blues 30 - Midlands 17
Star 20 - Marist 19
Woodlands 23 - Pirates-Old Boys 17