Kaiapoi third in country rugby
| Published date | 17 June 2021 |
| Publication title | North Canterbury News |
While this was unfolding at Kaiapoi, Southbridge and hosts, Southern were locked in a thriller 120km further south at Hinds.
Southbridge made the early running but Southern gradually closed the gap and eventually, late in the second half, scored what proved to be the winning try to hold on for a 22-18 victory.
With the competition in abeyance last season courtesy of Covid-19, Southern had shared the spoils with Glenmark-Cheviot in 2019, so it can claim to be the most consistent team of the last few seasons.
Kaiapoi v Prebbleton
At Kaiapoi, both teams chose to rest a number of their regular starters but there was no lack of intensity.
Kaiapoi unveiled yet another front-rower of true quality with youngster Henry Bogitini impressing in a convincing spell at loose-head prop.
This week it was his turn to anchor a strong scrum which kept Kaiapoi in the game despite Prebbleton having a distinct territorial advantage in the first half.
Despite that Kaiapoi scored the first two tries of the match, ten minutes either side of half-time, with lock Nacanieli Namata instrumental in both tries.
In the first he offloaded to his locking partner Connor Smith, while he scored the second himself after selling one of his trademark dummies.
At this point Kaiapoi had a comfortable buffer and it was late in the match before Prebbleton scored a consolation try.
Kaiapoi’s defensive effort was particularly laudable and a major factor in restricting Prebbleton’s scoring.
Loose forwards Jarrod Smith and Jarred Gilmore took the lead and, though short in stature, never stopped running and never shirked the tackle, serving their side superbly and could take a lot of credit for the Kaiapoi victory.
Scoreboard: Kaiapoi 20 (Connor Smith and Nacanieli Namata tries, Taine Jacobs Lawson 2 conversions, 1 penalty, Lance Taylor 1 penalty) Prebbleton 8 (Steven Lees-Godwin 1 try, Lachie Stove 1 penalty).
Saracens v Springston
At Southbrook Park, Saracens’ strong season continued with a 43-36 win over Springston in the 5th place play-off game.
Following its injury time defeat in the quarter finals, Saracens was determined to put the result behind it and used the game as an opportunity to do so.
Saracens led 29-12 at half time, following four tries to full back Harry Murray, but Springston fought back in the second spell. Saracens scored two more tries to ensure the win, scored by Nathan Goodwin and Toby Ashby, with...
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