Strong start to NC division 1 rugby season

• Published date: 07 April 2022
• Publication title: North Canterbury News

But mostly, the wins were not without a struggle

Of the beaten teams Ohoka, and Ashley in particular, showed they could take a top four position by season’s end.

Oxford v Ohoka

The most exciting match of the round was at Oxford.

Although the home team scored first, Ohoka hit back immediately and scored five unanswered tries in a sublime display of attacking rugby that took Ohoka out to a seemingly impenetrable 31-7 lead at the 52 minute mark.

Paddy McCallum controlled play masterfully from the pivot position, while George Webster was another Ohoka player to impress with an industrious performance from No 6.

But Oxford had other ideas. Inspirational No 8 Jesse Houston and player-coach Stu Dalzell led the way in chipping away at the lead.

With fulltime approaching Oxford trailed 24-31.

Another key player, Dan Brooker, scored a vital try to Matt Roberts levelled with a conversion.

Oxford surged back on attack, and deep in injury time, second-five Duane Paton scored the try that left Ohoka distraught, but with two bonus points, and the local lads elated.

Scoreboard: Oxford 38 (Toni Baker-Joass, Jesse Houston (2), Stu Dalzell, Dan Brooker, Duane Paton tries; Matt Roberts 4 conversions) beat Ohoka 31 (Jack Wedlake, Angus Gunn (2), Ryan McCallum, Jade Nuku Nuku tries; Paddy McCallum 3 conversions).

Saracens v Ashley

Saracens left Loburn Domain with the Rakahuri Shield after a 20-14 victory over Ashley in an often-bizarre season opener.

After a promising start, the game unfolded into a typical early season encounter.

Errors abounded with a penalty count that at least gave the players a rest. There were two yellow card scenarios, a golden oldie scrum following the new scrum re-set rule, and an incident involving a non player getting too excited on the side line, and interfering with the ball that was in reach of the touch line.

Saracens looked the better of the two sides in the opening phases.

A try was butchered before it scored through half-back Liam Dunseath. The lead looked like it would be extended, but the more Saracens attacked the more confident Ashley became.

Ashley’s resolute defence turned into attack as near the end of the first half Tyler Power scored followed by a Josh Duckworth try, and Ashley went to the break ahead 14-10.

Ashley looked the better team for much of the second spell, but many promising attacks turned to nothing.

With 15 minutes remaining Saracens made the most of a rare attacking opportunity and Brett Hancox dotted down. Ricky Allin...