Glenmark-Cheviot in play-offs

• Published date: 02 June 2022

So it was a disheartened Glenmark Cheviot side that trudged off after having been beaten 27-36 by an accomplished Prebbleton outfit

Frantic checking of cell-phones for results of other matches suggested the pre-match prognosis had been accurate.

But some time later that news filtered through that Southbridge had scored very deep into injury time to deny Lincoln a win that would have catapulted it into a qualifying position.

Not only that, but victories by two other North Canterbury teams, Kaiapoi over Waihora and Ashley over Methven, deprived their opponents of a place on the table ahead of Glenmark-Cheviot.

So the stars had aligned to enable Glenmark-Cheviot to take the last wildcard spot on points differential from Ohoka, and earn a trip to Southbridge on Saturday to play the top qualifier.

Saracens, who had a bye, finished in second position and will be at home to Springston.

The play-offs present a mouth-watering prospect with no team an obvious standout.

Last season’s finalists, Southern and Southbridge appeal on the basis of both having a recent history of success in play-off matches.

Hopes will be high in the Saracens camp, too, as they are drawn to avoid having to play either of these two teams in the quarters or semis.

The final points table was as follows: Southbridge 26, (1st in Pool A), 1; Saracens 25, (1st in Pool C), 2; Celtic 22 (1st in Pool B), 3; Southern 25 (2nd in Pool C), 4; Darfield 23 (2nd Pool A), 5; Prebbleton 22 (2nd in Pool B) 6; Springston 21, (1st wild card), 7; Glenmark-Cheviot 20 (2nd wild card), 8; Ohoka 20, 9; Lincoln 18, 10; Methven 18, 11; Waihora 17, 12; Ashley 17, 13; Kaiapoi 17, 14; Hurunui 11, 15; Rakaia 10, 16; Oxford 10, 17; West Melton 3, 18; Hornby 2, 19; Woodend 1, 20; Rolleston 0, 21.

Glenmark-Cheviot v Prebbleton

The home team had the best of the early exchanges and was rewarded when centre, Matt Jensen sliced through for an excellent try in the 12th minute.

Mid way through the half Glenmark-Cheviot secured quality ball from an attacking lineout following an excellent 50/22 kick.

Slick passing along the chain gave Caleb Beck enough room to use his pace to score in the corner. Prebbleton responded with a good try, showing some of its forward strength, but just before the break the ever-present flanker, Jacob Vincent was on hand to score a try that gave Glenmark-Cheviot a very useful buffer of 19-10. But it was nowhere near enough. Mistakes crept into the locals’ game, the most costly being the failure on many...