Unexpected results lead to points table shuffle
It has been an intriguing few weeks to be a club rugby spectator in North Otago.
Just when you think you know what is happening, another round tips the Citizens Shield on its head.
After leading 10-6 at halftime, Athletic Marist piled on a big second half to beat Old Boys 46-18 last week.
Forwards Paea Fifita and Epineri Logavatu each dotted down twice in that big victory.
That win has pushed them to the top of the table with defending champions Excelsior hot on their heels.
Blues also recorded a big 66-23 win over Maheno under the lights last Thursday — the games were split thanks to duck-shooting — and pulled together some really nice tries.
Maheno tested them early in that clash and held most of the ball in the opening quarter, but once Blues scored their opener, they were away.
Seva Druma picked up a hat-trick. Josh Phipps — including a brilliant 70m intercept try — and Matia Qiolevu each scored twice.
Kurow held their own at home against Valley and led 14-12 at halftime.
But the Weston men rolled up their sleeves in the second half and ran away with a 34-14 victory.
Those results have led to a shuffle on the points table.
Athies claim top spot with 16 points, Blues (14) sit second, Valley (13) are third and Old Boys (11) slip to fourth.
Kurow (five points) are fifth, while Maheno (three) are sixth and are yet to notch a win despite putting in some mighty efforts so far.
But all of that could change again this weekend with some intriguing match-ups.
Blues v Old Boys shapes as the game of the round and always produces a fiery encounter.
Both teams have shown patches of brilliance, but have occasionally stumbled as well, and will be hunting for those points at Whitestone Contracting No 2.
Athies are home to Kurow and the home team will be hoping to make it four on the trot to close out the first round of the competition.
But the Red Devils are never a side to back down from a challenge.
It will be a battle of the country out in Weston, when Valley host Maheno.
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