Latest news with #UpperClutha
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- 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
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- 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.
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Happy hooker's 100th
Wakatipu Prems' Phil Kingsbury, supported by Bradley Cross, pictured during his 100th game for the side last Saturday. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED Leading the Wakatipu Prems rugby side on to the field for his 100th game, there was no one prouder at the Queenstown Rec Ground last Saturday than hooker Phil Kingsbury. It was made more special when his side then beat Alexandra to qualify for this Saturday's final against Upper Clutha. "Semifinal I reckon is sometimes the hardest — statistically we normally bail out at the semifinal, so it'll be good to go back over to Wanaka and have another crack at them." After studying architecture in Wellington, before later setting up his own building company, Wyndham-raised Kingsbury came to Queenstown in 2016. After playing that year for the Wanderers, he joined the title-winning Prems the following season. Nicknamed 'Sweet Chilli', he says playing rugby makes up just a third of what he likes about the game. "I enjoy the camaraderie and I enjoy the fitness. "There's something about the camaraderie — anyone can drink in the clubrooms but only a select few can drink in the changing rooms, and you build a bond down there and it's something special." As for a playing highlight, Kingsbury singles out taking the White Horse Cup off Upper Clutha in Wanaka last year. He turns 40 late this year, after teammates Paulie Tuala and injured Josh Aperahama-Paenganui also bring up that milestone. "I give them beans that they are as old as the hills and need to give up." As for his own future, Kingsbury — who didn't even play when he was 23 till 29 — says "my wife maybe has other ideas, but I always said I'd like to play as long as I could until they politely ask me to leave". But he admits he might be tempted to pull the pin if Waka pick up the Central Otago title this Saturday, after which he'd happily play for the Wanderers again. And if he did step aside, he says the Prems would still be in good stead as young Thomas Hulsman is "absolutely fantastic". "Like I said in my speech the other night, I realise I'm the ghost of Wakatipu past, but if all I'm there to do is 20 minutes at the end, I'm happy." Wakatipu no.8 Anton Huisman about to dot down in last Saturday's semifinal win at the Queenstown Rec Ground. Heading to Wanaka for this Saturday's final against Upper Clutha, Wakatipu coach Jordan Manihera's delighted with the position his team's in, despite losing to them both times this season — including a 17-6 loss over there just two weekends ago. "We're actually in the most perfect position we can be. "I'm really excited for us as a squad to go in as the underdogs this week, because the last time we went over to Wanaka as underdogs, we took the White Horse Cup off them. "So I think our mindset is we've got nothing to lose and everything to gain." Manihera says despite that recent loss, "there were still some good nuggets in defence and some attack play but we just couldn't finish off opportunities we created for ourselves". He adds he was happy with last Saturday's 26-7 semifinal win over Alexandra, and says despite being 7-6 down at halftime "that's probably the first time we've actually started really well as well". Meanwhile, the Wakatipu Wanderers also play a final this Saturday in the Southland division 3 comp, against Pirates Old Boys, after winning their semifinal against Waiau Star 26-23 in Tuatapere last weekend.
Otago Daily Times
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
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
Otago Daily Times
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Alexandra coach playing down prospect of hat-trick
Alexandra, who have proven themselves champion spoilers in the Central Otago premier club rugby competition over the past two seasons, are not sure whether they are up to completing the hat-trick this weekend. Two seasons back, after a decade as one of the competition's also-ran clubs, the Armadillos, under then new coach Lee Wilson, knocked over Cromwell in the semifinals before defeating hot favourites Upper Clutha in the final at Wanaka. They were again unfancied entering the semifinals in 2024 but unleashed one of their Irish imports against Wakatipu, Nathan Hook, who had not taken a kick at goal all season. But after the team's heroic captain (and goalkicker) Tyler Ford had scored two great tries, injuring his leg in the process, Hook banged over four booming penalty goals to give his side a 24-21 victory at Queenstown. They were outgunned by Upper Clutha in the final but had done wonderfully well to get that far again. Given what they achieved in 2023 and 2024, you would expect them to be full of optimism ahead of the semifinals now. But coach Wilson is not firing out any warnings this time. "We're coming off three losses and our No8 Will Healey hasn't recovered from the injury he sustained against Arrowtown. Wakatipu will certainly go into Saturday's game as a strong favourite. "The mud we've encountered over the past three weeks hasn't helped us. Here's hoping we have a dry ball to play with at Queenstown on Saturday." The Alexandra-Wakatipu clash at Molyneux Park on May 24 was one of the highlights of the season, with Wakatipu storming back from 29-12 down to score the winning try in the fifth minute of injury time. Wakatipu coach Jordan Manihera, while frustrated that his team did not convert their second half territorial advantage to points against Upper Clutha last Saturday, is confident they can do the business this weekend. "We proved our resilience against them in round three," he said. ''We know Alex's game, we know what they do, we know how to shut them down. "It's a massive opportunity to right some of the wrongs from last year. If we get through it will mean a first final for co-coach Kapa (Te Rangi Moeke) and myself. We're wanting to go all the way." The game offers some intriguing individual challenges. Ford is the competition's leading point-scorer with 114, three ahead of Wakatipu's Rube Peina. And Alex flanker Sam Chapman is the competition's equal top try-scorer (along with Matak's Dean Sinnamon) on 11, three ahead of Wakatipu's Conner Hamlin. Upper Clutha, boasting 11 victories from 12 games, are strongly favoured to defeat Maniototo at Wanaka Domain, although the Maggots are much-improved this season, having won seven of their 11 games. Maniototo have a couple of matchwinners in their backline — fullback Daniel Adam and first-five Ben Maxwell. If Maniototo can hold up against Upper Clutha's scrum, where hooker Scott Cunningham will be making his 100th appearance, they could cause the locals some concern. But it will be a massive surprise if Upper Clutha are not featuring in their third consecutive grand final on Saturday week.
