Strong defence deals blow to champs

Otago Daily Times

25-05-2025

Photo: ODT files
Valley fronted up in a big way defensively to beat the defending Citizens Shield champions on Saturday.
The 20-13 win over Excelsior avenged their loss earlier this season.
It was a clinical performance on defence as it took Blues more than 80 minutes to score a try.
Valley controlled most of the possession and territory of the match, but small errors at important moments prevented them building a commanding lead.
Following an early penalty from Isaac Clunie they finally ran in their first try and it was a beauty.
A well-worked backline manoeuvre off a solid scrum put winger Jakob Cunningham in some space out wide.
He dashed away and drew in the final Blues defender before passing it inside to Jake Matthews who scored under the sticks.
Two Josh Phipps penalties either side of halftime kept Blues close.
Just as it looked like Blues might have some momentum, Valley wrestled it back with another try.
Their forwards rolled up their sleeves and toiled away, carry after carry until eventually they broke the Blues defence as Jake Greenslade crashed over.
A second penalty from the boot of Clunie pushed the lead to two converted tries.
With time running out, Blues finally strung some phases together.
They were attacking in Valley's half for most of the final quarter but could not crack it.
Eventually, with time up on the clock, Oli Knopp was able to break through and score to help ease the loss.
It was a far from perfect performance from Valley but good teams find a way to win and they did just that.
Up the valley in Kurow, Old Boys snatched a late win over the Red Devils.
It was tight all the way through, but the visitors scored in the final minute to claim a narrow 33-32 win.
Athletic Marist ran in eight tries to beat Maheno 46-33 in the final match of the round.
After a tumultuous fortnight for the country club coming off defaulting last weekend, they showed plenty of fight in the first half to only be trailing by five at the half.
Unfortunately for them, Athies kicked into gear in the second 40 to take the win.