Otago Country again had a great win defeating Canterbury Country 50 points to 3.
Otago Country overwhelmed Southland Country 75 points to 5 running in 10 tries, our own Charlie Hore converting 10 out of 10.
Otago Country 32 defeated North Otago 21
Otago Country Vs Horowhenua-Kapiti.
The second game of the Otago Country tour was played at Otaki, north of Wellington. It was a night game played at 7pm. HK started the game at pace and only missed out on scoring with a try saving tackle from fullback Matt Faddes. HK opened the scoring 4 minutes into the match with a penalty and in the 7 minute Country replied with a Sam Young penalty. There was no scoring for the next 20 minutes with 2 missed penalty opportunities and a try going begging with the ball being dropped short of the line. The 29th minute saw Country sending off the top lineout ball through the backs, Matt Faddes coming into the backline outside centre and scoring an unconverted try.
HK was next to score with a penalty in the 35th minute. Just on half time Sam Young kicked for the corner and good chasing by Sonny Vakaruru saw him scoop the ball and cross the line for Countries 2nd try.
Half time 13 6
The 2nd half was an even battle with some good defence and attack. The only scoring for the half came 25 minutes in when after a sustained period of attack from HK Matt Faddes intercepted the ball on Countries 22 and ran all the way to score under the sticks. The try was converted by Charlie Hore. HK through everything they had at Country for the rest of the game but their resolve was to strong.
This was a good result for the Country team and gave them a measure of where they are at. The Coaches were pleased with the commitment from the team but expect them to continue to develop next week against North Otago (Sat the 15
th
2.30 pm at Oamaru) and onwards for the rest of their campaign.
By Willis Paterson
Otago Country Vs Wairarapa Bush
Countries first game on their North Island tour was against Wairarapa
Bush at Marsterton.It was a great day for running rugby with a light
breeze from the north.
Country opened the scoring after 7 minutes with an unconverted try
being scored from a lineout 10 metres out from Wbs 22.It was a short
lineout with off the top ball being sent out the backline to Ben
Purvis on the wing and he dotted down in the corner.
Two minutes later WBs number 8 cut in on the inside channel to score
under the posts. The try was converted.
15 minutes into the game WB added to their score with a penalty from
half way then it was another 20 minutes until they added to the
scoring with another penalty.
Sam Young replied 1 minute later and WB had the last score for the
first 40 with a penalty right on half time.
HT 16 8
The two teams traded a penalty each in the first ten minutes then in
the 13th minute after Country touched down for a 22 the ensuing kick
was charged down. The ball went back to the Country fullback whos
attempt to find touch was also charged down and WB scored a 7 pointer
to go to a
26 11 lead.
20 minutes into the second half good pressure from a lineout drive saw
James Kenny dive over for a much needed try that was converted by
Young.
The 31st minute saw a good kick and chase rewarded by a try to Charlie
Hore.
Country put a top effort in for the last 5 minutes but couldn't get a
score to win the game.
It was a scrappy sort of game being the first hit out for both sides
and the ref seemed determined to make sure the North Island team was
victourious but there was promising signs of things to come from
Country this year. The starting front row of Hamish McDougal, Willie
Harris and Blair Young all had strong games. Loose forwards Dave Kenny
and Aiden Winter worked hard all day.
The backs had a hard game with WB putting a lot of pressure on with
rushing defence. James Kenny marshaled the forwards well and winger
Ben Purvis had a player of the day performance on debut making the
most of any oppurtunitties. Other players to debut were Hamish
McDougal, Dan Groen,Craig Hyslop and Matt Faddes. Faddes had a sound
game at fullback.
The trip is running smoothly and the team is looking forward to their
next match on Tuesday against Horowhenua-Kapiti.
Report from Willis Paterson.