
Rugby Rugby, though the weather was average the rugby certainly wasn’t.
The big clash of the season so far was Wanderers hosting Waitohi at Brightwater. Both teams went into the contest unbeaten and both teams were confident of remaining so. The weather set the tone with the slippery conditions adding more intensity to the game with the ball remaining close and both teams willing to confront each other up front. The kicking games from both sides pressured their opposites and the defence was hard and almost 100% however Waitohi managed to get the ball across the line.
Waitohi emerged the victors 7-3 set up by their dominant set piece upsetting a Wanderers pack that has prided itself on its honest hard work and tough attitude.
The bus ride home to Picton would have been an enjoyable 2½ hours as the boys recovered and rehydrated.
Renwick also travelled over the hill to take on Stoke, both sides ready to fight for pride and a much needed, confident boosting win. The hosts were ready from the start taking on Renwick upfront and utilising a clever positional game to keep the visitors under pressure. Both teams played good rugby in testing conditions with Renwick throwing the ball around at every opportunity to take on the home side close and wide. The obvious difference in the end was Stoke scored more points than Renwick, however both teams enjoyed good facets of play with and without ball. Both teams will now look positively to 2015 and start building their respective clubs. Though sitting at the wrong end of the table, both teams can be proud of the honest efforts their players put out week to week.
At Trafalgar Park, Nelson hosted Awatere which was another anticipated clash with Awatere being one of the better organised clubs in the off season with recruitment and Nelson still struggling to field a consistent team. However it was Nelson who started with the most go forward and kept up their momentum right throughout the match scoring at regular intervals to eventually topple the visitors 37-8. Both teams played well with ball in hand but Nelson took their opportunities better, with once again a back line bristling with confidence even in the wet. The home crowd were pleased with the outcome and the final whistle enabling them to head to comfort of the fire side at the clubrooms.
Report by:
Gary Stevens,
Development Officer Academy
Tasman Rugby Union
Story Source: http://www.tasmanrugby.co.nz/