Two NC teams in semis

Published date09 June 2022
Both Saracens and Glenmark-Cheviot managed contrasting victories, so for the first time since 2010 two North Canterbury Clubs will be competing at the semi-final stage

Saracens will be hosting Prebbleton, while Glenmark-Cheviot must travel to Hinds to meet Southern.

Saracens v Springston

Despite its recent unexpected loss to Ohoka, Saracens started favourites against Springston, primarily because it had beaten Springston reasonably comfortably (34-16) in section play, and this time had the added advantage of playing at home.

Saracens had, however, been deprived of the nucleus of their leadership team with their regular captain, Josh Maynard and vice-captain, Willie Kerr unavailable because of injury and illness respectively.

The portents were ominous when Springston, who had the better of the early exchanges, scored a try after only five minutes.

But Saracens rallied immediately and surged on to attack. With regular kicker, Ricky Allin, in the blood bin, replacement Lachy Grant stepped up and coolly landed an excellent penalty to narrow the gap.

Slowly, Saracens asserted its superiority, with its scrum gaining ascendancy over Springston.

Brett Hancox and Nathan Goodwin were strong on the tackle, and also dominated the breakdown. Allin landed an excellent long-range penalty on the half hour to give Saracens the lead for the first time in the match and this was quickly followed by two long range tries.

The first was out of the top drawer. It was scored by impressive fullback Harry Murray who popped up at the right place at the right time to touch down after some excellent interpassing.

The second was scored by stand-in captain, Alex Kennedy who was certainly filling the leadership vacuum by leading from the front.

He carried hard all day and on this occasion managed an intercept just on his own side of the half way line and sprinted 60 meters to score in the corner.

The sight of the lanky lock in full flight was the most captivating moment of the match – and an important one as another excellent conversion by Allin extended Saracens lead to 20-5, although Springston did score on the cusp of half-time to keep it in touch.

Another long-range try soon after the resumption came when fullback Murray carved through and drew the defence, before offloading to winger Ollie Bithray, He, too, timed his pass to perfection to centre Toby Ashby who had ranged up on the inside.

But Springston was not about to lie down. It scored another forward try after a series of...

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