logo
Hookers make final in hundredth games

Hookers make final in hundredth games

Saturday became a super special occasion for a couple of happy hookers in Central Otago premier club rugby as their teams, Upper Clutha and Wakatipu, qualified for the final.
Both Scott Cunningham (Upper Clutha) and Phil Kingsbury (Wakatipu) led their teams out on Saturday as they each celebrated their 100th premier club appearances.
The glory did not end there.
Cunningham scored a try and won man-of-the-match honours as Upper Clutha defeated Maniototo 18-9 in Wanaka in challenging conditions.
And Kingsbury turned in another distinguished performance as Wakatipu came from 7-6 behind at halftime to eliminate Alexandra 26-7 in Queenstown.
Upper Clutha are now on track to scoop the pool for the season with the White Horse Trophy already secure in the trophy cabinet.
Coach Alex Dickson was not overly excited about his team's victory on Saturday, however.
"The wet, slippery conditions made life challenging for both teams," he said.
"It wasn't an expansive game. Fortunately, we managed two tries in the first half, both to our front rowers (Ben McKeich getting the other one), which allowed us to hang on as Maniototo fought hard to the finish."
After Saturday's final, Cunningham is off to Holland to play another season of club rugby there.
Others who turned in distinguished performances for Upper Clutha were halfback Brodie Flannery and No 8 Jake Burtenshaw.
The other semifinal was certainly a game of two halves.
Alexandra, seeking to qualify for their third consecutive final, tackled themselves to a standstill in the first half.
Wakatipu had close to 70% possession but managed just two penalty goals to show for it, as the Alex defenders pulled off dozens of try-saving tackles.
In the 40th minute, Alex won an attacking lineout and worked a move that bamboozled the Wakatipu defence, allowing No 8 Sam Chapman to score in the corner. Tyler Ford's superb conversion put his team a point ahead.
It was Chapman's 12th try of the season, and he was unquestionably man of the match across those opening 40 minutes.
The Alex supporters were ecstatic, fancying a repeat of the 2024 semifinal.
But Wakatipu, inspired by captain Rube Peina, gradually assumed control and it was Peina who had much to do with that.
First, he kicked a penalty goal to put his side in front. Then he scored a try which he converted, followed by his piece de resistance — a 22m drop-out that, 70m downfield, became a 50-22 for his team.
Wakatipu drove from the ensuing lineout, which produced a try to stand-out No 8 Anton Huisman, putting Wakatipu ahead 21-7, and not two minutes later that became 26-7 after Thomas Huisman stole an intercept and showed remarkable pace to outrun the Alex backs for another five-pointer.
Wakatipu coach Jordan Manihera was thrilled with the outcome but said his team needed to start better in the final.
"We've become a third-quarter team," he said, "something we've got to work on at training this week."
One sad happening for Manihera is he has lost dynamic fullback Conner Hamlin, who finished up in hospital on Saturday after painfully suffering a broken rib.
— Bob Howitt
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Finals footy delivers the goods
Finals footy delivers the goods

Otago Daily Times

time3 hours ago

  • Otago Daily Times

Finals footy delivers the goods

Well Rugby Chat is done for the year (thank God, you'll be saying!) but we have a few things to cover off so we can enjoy the summer. Firstly, the final was a pulsating affair with a lot of points scored and defence seemed to be optional at times. The score ebbed and flowed in the first spell and the Harbour scrum looked ominous. But in the second spell Kaik stepped up at lineout time and shut the Hawks out and walked away with the game. They built up a commanding lead and although Harbour were gutsy, coming back with two late tries, it was never going to be enough. Congratulations to Kaik. Everybody wrote them off early, they battled to make the six then got past Taieri, Southern and Harbour to win it all. In the South, Clutha were up against West Taieri in an absorbing encounter. Clutha were the best team all year and only lost one game and that was to their fellow finalist. It was a very tight, tense affair, with the home side being down by four at the break to the West Taieri Pigs. They were still down by seven with 15 minutes to go, but they managed to breach the West Taieri defence and led by three with the clock winding down. They then had to defend staunchly for the last few minutes to get the job done. If rumours are to be believed there were a few surprising selections on the bench for West Taieri. Big congratulations to Clutha on their fine season and getting the banner over the line. In unbelievably sunny Wanaka, Upper Clutha made no race of the final with old foes Wakatip, and raced away to a commanding 35-7 victory, much to the delight of the bumper crowd. They were down early but squeezed a late try to go to a three-point lead at the break. The second half was one-way traffic as they piled on 25 unanswered points. Congratulations Upper Clutha on a stunning season, winning the banner and locking away the "Horse" for the summer. For their collective efforts, Clutha and Upper Clutha go head to head in Wanaka tomorrow to find out who is the best team on the "farm". I'll tip Upper Clutha by one, but really it's a toss of the coin. The Ainge Shield I said last week that three teams still had some chance of winning the Ainge Shield for being the best-performed club in town. Well now, Kaikorai has a firm hand on the prize, with their premiers winning at the weekend. Taieri, even if they win the prem 2 competition tomorrow, have no chance. The problem is the two colts grades don't hit the playoffs for another eight days. Dunedin still have an outside chance of tying with Kaikorai on seven points if they win both the colts grades. I see the finalists in both grades — barring massive upsets — as being Dunedin and Kaikorai. It should be a Dunedin Makos v Kaik final in the prem colts and a Kaik Undertakers v Dunedin Hammerheads in junior colts. Those finals are too close to call. So I have Kaik at 2-1 to win the Ainge Shield. Dunedin are at 20-1 to grab a share of the Ainge with Kaik. Club player of the year The club player of the year awards are on at the Kaikorai club up on the high veldt on Friday, August 8. The ODT /Speight's club player of the year trophy has been hotly contested this year and we didn't find a winner until we hit the semifinals, which is not surprising considering how close this year's comp has been. On awards night we also pick the Ben Smith medallist for most promising new player, women's player of the year, top try scorer and points scorer in prem rugby and ref of the year. It promises to be a great night. If you can't make it, ODT Rugby Chat will be there to grab all the highlights ( Club report card Now without further ado, we'll make a move on to the much awaited club report card. Remember, take a breath, don't take yourselves too seriously and there will be no correspondence entered into! Alhambra Union (Stallions or Ponies) Numerically very strong with seven teams in the club. They won prem women's and were runner up in the women's development grade (doesn't count for Ainge points), but that was about as good as it got. They were last in prems, bottom of the pile in P2s and didn't really raise a sweat in the colts grades. Numerically and socially the club is in great heart. They just need some "male results"C Dunedin (Sharks or Guppyfish) Numerically the strongest club with eight teams. Their prems were a major disappointment, finishing fifth. Their prems 2s, who struggled for numbers all year, finished fourth. Their senior side promised a lot but delivered a fifth placing. They lead prem colts and are second and third in junior colts. Their prem women finished second and their women's development team finished last. Their numbers are strong and club is vibrant off the field. But by their lofty standards a very average year. C Green Island (Grizzlies or Spannerheads) Numerically very strong with seven teams. Their prems had an awful year, finishing seventh. Their P2s are in the final this weekend. Their seniors finished seventh. Their prem colts finished fifth and their junior colts teams finished eighth and 15th. Their development women's team finished fourth. Compared with the highs of last year a disappointing year. Their numbers are good and off the field, on the face of it, it has been vibrant, but they have had some issues lately they need to resolve. C- Harbour (The Hawks or Cockabillies) Numerically not that strong with only four teams. Their prems finished second. Their prem 2s finished a commendable third. Their prem colts finished sixth and their junior colts 10th. Compared with recent seasons it was very good for a smaller club. Off the field they seem to be travelling well and you can't go past making a club final. B Kaikorai Numerically pretty good with six teams. Their prems won the banner. Their P2s had a big dip to second-last. Their seniors made the final. Their prem colts lie second. Their top junior colts side is c sitting No1 and their second side is sixth. Off the field the club, as per usual, is in great heart. They must at least share the Ainge Shield if not win it outright. An outstanding season. A Southern Numerically they are struggling with only four teams. Their prems finished third. Their P2s finished last. Their junior colts finished 10th. Off the field they are still struggling to attract numbers. On the field a marked improvement, with their colts making the four and their prems are always competitive. C- Taieri (The Eels) Numerically ended up with five teams, so not too bad. Their prems finished third. Their P2s are in the final and go in as favourites. Their seniors won the comp in a romp. The prem colts side finished eighth and junior colts side finished 14th. Off the field the clubrooms are not quite as vibrant, but that is coming off a high base. Their men's teams had a good year but their colts teams were a bit of a worry. B- Varsity (The bookworms or bookends) Numerically reasonably strong with six teams. Their prems finished sixth. Their P2s finished fifth. Their prem colts are third and make the semis next weekend. Their junior colts are fifth and ninth currently. Their prem women finished third. Off the field they are still struggling to find the "recipe", but there has been improvement. No real highlights on the field, but their prem colts side has improved out of sight. C Zingari (The Colours) Numerically they were OK with six teams. They have certainly gone backwards though in terms of performance. Their prems finished eighth of nine. Their P2s finished sixth and their seniors ninth. Their prem colts finished seventh and their women's teams both finished fifth. Off the field they are normally pretty good, but I suspect that has gone backward this year. The much publicised "cash splash" from last year hasn't helped them this year and they have work to do. D So that wraps up the season, so thanks to our sponsors for making these pages happen. Liquorland, Speight's, the Speight's Alehouse, the Mornington and Cableways. Just a bit of late mail to finish. The spokesman/medic/waterboy/sponsorship manager of the Eels senior side apparently was sent off in the final at the weekend when he ran on to award a try — tell me it's not so?

East double ignites hosts in rampant second half
East double ignites hosts in rampant second half

Otago Daily Times

time4 days ago

  • Otago Daily Times

East double ignites hosts in rampant second half

With Upper Clutha having the home advantage, most Central Otago rugby followers were expecting them to retain their premier club title in Saturday's final in Wanaka. Few, however, were expecting them to pulverise Wakatipu in the manner they did, winning 35-7. That included Upper Clutha coach Alex Dickson. "They're an easy team to coach," Dickson. "They look for each other, but I wasn't expecting that result, to be honest. They played out of their skins in the second half." Wakatipu fans, who had made the trip across the Crown Range hoping to see their team claim the title for the first time since 2022, were not anticipating Upper Clutha's total domination of their team in the second half. Wakatipu led 7-3 with just half a dozen minutes remaining in the first half, lock Toby Higgins having scored a try after relentless pressure in the 16th minute. That brought joy to the Wakatipu fans, but the signs were soon becoming obvious. Inspired by captain Lachie Garrick, Upper Clutha were taking charge of the lineouts and beginning to exert pressure in the scrums. When Arthur Boutillier, their French flanker, made a scorching break, No 8 Jake Burtenshaw was on hand to finish off, allowing Upper Clutha to go to halftime holding a slender 10-7 lead. The second half was all Upper Clutha. Speedy left winger Jack East, following in the footsteps of prolific try-scorers Adam Breen in 2023 and Welshman Thomas Jarman last year, scored a stunning solo try one minute after the restart, adding another 10 minutes later. Halfback Brodie Flannery, the only player to start in all 14 games throughout the season — but who would sadly limp off with a strained hamstring in the final moments — chimed in with a penalty, putting Upper Clutha comfortably 23-7 ahead. Replacement backs Daniel O'Shea and Caleb Dixon rounded out the scoring for Upper Clutha with tries in the final quarter, only desperate defence saving Wakatipu from further embarrassment in the final moments. Upper Clutha will now host Clutha in the Otago countrywide final at Wanaka this Saturday, having beaten Clutha Valley in last year's final. Upper Clutha are losing a couple of their star performers next season with prop Ben McKeich returning to Christchurch and outside back Milan Martinovich moving to Australia. There were many who excelled for Dickson's team on Saturday, most notably forwards Garrick, Burtenshaw, Boutillier, lock Andrew Horne and front-rowers Scott Cunningham (in game No 101) and McKeich. East, who has played three seasons in Victoria, Canada, once again demonstrated what a wonderful asset pure speed is, proving a champion finisher. Others who contributed mightily in the backline were first five Angus Faulks, midfielders Oliver Stirling and Martinovich and speedy fullback Henry Schikker. The victory means Upper Clutha complete the season not only as club champions but also holders of the White Horse Trophy, the first time they have managed the double since 1972. Central final The scores Upper Clutha 35 Jack East 2, Jake Burtenshaw, Daniel O'Shea, Caleb Dixon tries; Brodie Flannery 2 con, 2 pen. Wakatipu 7 Toby Higgins try; Rube Peina con. Halftime: Upper Clutha 10-7 — Bob Howitt

Historic opportunity for Rams
Historic opportunity for Rams

Otago Daily Times

time17-07-2025

  • Otago Daily Times

Historic opportunity for Rams

Upper Clutha Rams. PHOTO: ODT FILES It is no surprise that Upper Clutha and Wakatipu are contesting Central Otago premier club rugby's final in Wānaka tomorrow, having been two of the standout teams for several seasons. But what is astonishing is that Upper Clutha and Wakatipu have not opposed one another in the Central Otago final for over 50 years. Upper Clutha club statistician Gary Reid believes the last time the two clubs fought out the final was 1972. "What was significant about 1972 was that it has been, until now, the only occasion Upper Clutha has won the club title and held the White Horse Trophy simultaneously. "They are in a position to repeat that achievement on Saturday." Upper Clutha experienced lean times after that and did not win the club title again until 2018. Since then, they have developed into a major force in Central Otago rugby, losing only three of their past 41 games across three seasons. After contesting the final in 2021, when they lost to Cromwell, they went through the 2023 season undefeated until Alexandra knocked them over in the final. But they remedied that last year, giving Alexandra a pasting in the final. Wakatipu won the title in 2017 (beating Arrowtown) and 2022 (beating Cromwell) but have stumbled at the semifinal stage the past two years. After eliminating Alexandra 26-7 in the semifinals last weekend, Wakatipu coach Jordan Manihera is confident his team are capable of a truly grand finale. "I'm happy for us to go into the final as underdogs. The last time we did that, in 2024, we took the White Horse Trophy off them. "Our mindset is we have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Two weeks back, when we played at Wānaka, we didn't finish off the opportunities we created." Manihera has not ruled out fullback Conner Hamlin, who has scored 16 tries across two seasons, from playing, even though he suffered a painful rib injury last Saturday. "He's a tough rooster — we'll see how he recovers as the week goes on." There is little between the two teams as they prepare for the final. Upper Clutha have scored 60 tries and Wakatipu 55. Upper Clutha have conceded 27 tries (but none in the last two games) and Wakatipu 24. With 127 points, Wakatipu captain Rube Peina has overtaken Alexandra's Tyler Ford as the most prolific scorer in the competition.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store