Swamp Foxes Win Centenary Match

From Foxeye in Te Aroha

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Thames Valley ended their Bunnings Heartland Championship match against West Coast with a try from a rolling maul which gave them a 36 – 26 victory. This was in complete contrast to their five previous tries which all came from swooping movements originating deep inside their own half.

This counter attacking style of rugby enabled the Swamp Foxes to have the edge over the Coasters who were stronger in the scrums and had a territorial advantage. Both sides were willing to run with the ball which provided much entertainment for the large crowd in attendance for the Thames Valley Rugby Union’s centenary celebrations.

Thames Valley had lost both regular half backs following injuries in the South Canterbury match. Nui Muriwai, from Waikato University, was called in as a last minute replacement and he filled the gap admirably. He skilfully varied his play and his crisp passing was a feature of the game. Nui was named as Thames Valley’s player of the match.

Both sides were strong in the mid field with Valley’s Sweeney and McCahon and Smith and Anderson from West Coast cancelling each other out. Daniel Davis, Troy Tauwhare and Daniel Foord  – West Coast’s front row were invaluable to their team and Foord used all of his 140kgs to score an excellent try.

At half time Thames Valley were ahead 19-7. As they entered the final quarter Valley had extended their lead to 29 -14 but West Coast were by no means out of the game. They took advantage of the Foxes being reduced to 14 men, as the result of a yellow card, and rattled up twelve points. With only three points separating the two teams West Coast were in with a chance to draw or win but then came the rolling maul with Blake Hill scoring the try just after returning from the sin bin.

Thames Valley therefore, won 36-26, to become the first holders of The Game cup and in the process denied West Coasta well deserved, second bonus point.

For Thames Valley: Sam McCahon, Nui Muriwai, Calum Wood, Todd Doolan, Cameron Dromgool and Blake Hill scored tries with Doolan kicking three conversions.

Shayne Anderson, Daniel Foord, Amenatava Tukana and Troy Tauwhare scored tries for West Coast with Ben Wyness kicking three conversions.

Other Thames Valley teams:

Counties Manukau U18s19 – 00 Thames Valley U18s

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Thames Valley U16s 78 – 8 Corinthians U16s

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Thames Valley U18 Girls…. Attended the Bay of Plenty U18 Girls Camp.

It was an extremely successful day with lots of learnings both on and off the field.

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