Hurunui almost topples Kaiapoi

Published date28 April 2022
Publication titleNorth Canterbury News
While Saracens travelled south and completely blitzed Rakaia, Kaiapoi’s trip north to Culverden almost brought about its undoing, and it was four minutes into injury time before it finally repelled the valiant challenge from Hurunui

Hurunui v Kaiapoi

This match was a thriller, and a great display of running rugby.

Kaiapoi had much the better of the first half and led 19-7 at the break. Many might have expected Kaiapoi to run away in the second half, but Hurunui had different ideas. Displaying its trademark resilience it fought its way back into the game to bring the scores level 22-all with 20 minutes to play. There was no further score until Hurunui was awarded a penalty in front, and Kyle Mckenzie raised the flags with the clock showing 83 minutes of playing time.

There was still time for a kick-off. Hurunui’s exit from the kick off failed to find touch, and Kaiapoi flanker, Matt Etheredge, made a strong run up the middle, off-loading to winger Kimeon Reade who celebrated his 50th match for the team by scoring in the corner.

Hurunui 25 (Nordy Anderson, Jonathon Schwass, Ben Funnell tries, Simon Smith and Kyle McKenzie conversions, McKenzie 2 penalties) lost to Kaiapoi 27 Nathan Cassidy-Richards, Kimeon Reade (2) and Taine Jacobs-Lawson tries , Jacobs-Lawson 2 conversions and a penalty).

Oxford v Southbridge

In a match played at Oxford on Thursday evening, Oxford again surrendered an early lead with Southbridge leading 24-5 at half-time, and extending to 31-5 soon after the resumption.

Despite that massive deficit, Oxford fought back, getting very good value from some of its bench players — Tevita Pongi, Stew Dalzell and Shannon Croy.

Oxford even had the opportunity of kicking a penalty in the dying minutes, to gain an extra bonus point, but opted to attempt to score another try. For the second week in a row Oxford notched a 4-try bonus point. Three of the tries went to the exceptional flanker, Daniel Brooker, while his fellow loose forward, industrious Jesse Houston scored the other.

Oxford 26 (Daniel Brooker (3), Jesse Houston tries, Matt Roberts 3 conversions) lost to Southbridge 36.

Ashley v Lincoln

Ashley is proving very competitive, but remains winless.

A bigger, stronger Lincoln unit dominated the forward battle throughout, but Lincoln’s backs were much less impressive and made a lot of mistakes. On the other hand, Ashley’s forwards struggled to get much ball for a backline that constantly looked dangerous,

Playing under an injury cloud, Nathan...

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