Baabaas carrying momentum
Woodlands will host the Eastern Northern Barbarians in the feature match of Southland senior club rugby tomorrow.
The Barbarians are currently third equal on the points table alongside Marist and Star with three rounds remaining.
The Barbarians' 33-26 win over Invercargill Blues last week was a relief for coach AJ Aitken and the team.
"Things had been clicking at practice, so it was reassuring to get the win" Aitken said.
This week, the Barbarians have been working on playing with intensity for the entire 80 minutes after they let in 19 points in the last 15 minutes against Blues.
Two of their standout players last week were 2024 Stags squad members Angus Simmers and Morgy Mitchell.
The Barbarians will be boosted this weekend by three more of their recent Stags taking the field down at Woodlands.
Lock Woody Kirkwood, openside flanker Leroy Ferguson and halfback Connor Collins make this a formidable Barbarians team.
Aitken had praise for the way his veteran utility forwards Brenton Howden and Lachie McCall have played this season.
"They've been great leaders for us again this year."
Woodlands lost 29-26 to Marist last week and in the process they lost their captain, Liam Howley, with a hamstring injury.
Blues have a tough game against Pirates Old Boys tomorrow. POB firmed as competition favourites after beating Star 42-0 last week.
Star will try to get some confidence back on their home ground against Marist.
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Otago Daily Times
19 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Baabaas carrying momentum
Woodlands will host the Eastern Northern Barbarians in the feature match of Southland senior club rugby tomorrow. The Barbarians are currently third equal on the points table alongside Marist and Star with three rounds remaining. The Barbarians' 33-26 win over Invercargill Blues last week was a relief for coach AJ Aitken and the team. "Things had been clicking at practice, so it was reassuring to get the win" Aitken said. This week, the Barbarians have been working on playing with intensity for the entire 80 minutes after they let in 19 points in the last 15 minutes against Blues. Two of their standout players last week were 2024 Stags squad members Angus Simmers and Morgy Mitchell. The Barbarians will be boosted this weekend by three more of their recent Stags taking the field down at Woodlands. Lock Woody Kirkwood, openside flanker Leroy Ferguson and halfback Connor Collins make this a formidable Barbarians team. Aitken had praise for the way his veteran utility forwards Brenton Howden and Lachie McCall have played this season. "They've been great leaders for us again this year." Woodlands lost 29-26 to Marist last week and in the process they lost their captain, Liam Howley, with a hamstring injury. Blues have a tough game against Pirates Old Boys tomorrow. POB firmed as competition favourites after beating Star 42-0 last week. Star will try to get some confidence back on their home ground against Marist.
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Marist claims tight win over Woodlands
Marist provided the highlight in round 10 of Southland senior club rugby last Saturday when they beat Woodlands 29-26 at Miller St. Marist No 8 Ben Fotheringham signalled he was about to play another high-quality game when he scored after five minutes. When prop Joe Turaganivalu scored after 16 minutes, Marist coach Derek Manson said it felt like his side was winning the arm-wrestle but a couple of long-range tries from Woodlands had the scores at 12-12 at halftime. Marist hooker James Moodie scored a converted try to make it 19-19 after 60 minutes. Woodlands went ahead 26-19 before Scott Eade kicked a critical penalty goal for Marist. Man of the match Hunter Burgess scored the game-winning try in the 80th minute. Burgess's locking partner Max Bryant also played his best game of the year. The Eastern Northern Barbarians beat the Invercargill Blues 33-26 on their Sponsors' Day at the Gore Showgrounds. Blues scored the first converted try but the locals settled into their work and led 21-7 at halftime. The Barbarians spoke at halftime about not letting Blues back into the game but after leading 33-7 after 65 minutes, Blues found some holes and scored some nice tries to earn two bonus points. Angus Simmers was man of the match, while fellow midfielder Vitali Roqica put in some big defensive tackles. Prop Troy McIvor played well and Morgy Mitchell slotted into No8 and did a fine job. First five Riley Stewart deserved a mention for his effort, as did prop Tom Scanlan playing his 50th game and Harry McKenzie for making his debut. Blues were without their captain Billy Andrews and they have a tough game against Pirates Old Boys this Saturday. With three rounds remaining, the Baabaas are third equal on the points table alongside Marist and Star. The three 2024 Stag members reuniting with the Barbarians this Saturday at Woodlands are Woody Kirkwood (lock), Leroy Fergus (openside) and Connor Collins (halfback). Pirates Old Boys were celebrating their 25th anniversary last weekend and the premier grade team beat Star 42-nil in the main event at Surrey Park. POB scored tries out wide to wing Sam Wheely and blindside Ben Keenan, both were converted by Kaea Nikora Balloch during the first 17 minutes. Right wing Isaac Rounds scored the next try after 26 minutes and POB held that 19-point lead through to halftime. Nikora Balloch kicked a penalty goal after the break but it took until the 68th minute for POB to score their fourth try to hooker Alex Fraito from an excellent lineout drive. Shaun Kempton intercepted a pass to score and followed that with his second try out wide. Halfback Kane O'Connor scored the seventh try on fulltime. Star will try to get some confidence back on their home ground against Marist this Saturday. In the division one competition Pioneer did well on their "Club Day" to draw 20-20 with the competition leaders Wyndham. In the second half, Pioneer first five Jhardyn Stewart scored his second try before Jordan Anderson kicked the conversion and added a penalty goal to push Pioneer ahead 20-17. In the closing stages, Wyndham landed their own penalty goal to ensure the competition points were split evenly. Pioneer blindside Troy Wyatt was confrontational at the ruck, while hooker Kerry Power, No 8 Damon Hurley and lock Reece Soper led a hard-working Pioneer defensive unit. Prop Braiden Patterson played his 100th game for Pioneer. Wyndham's best were halfback Nathan Bee, prop Oliver Woodrow and blindside Logan Dobbie. The Vikings and Edendale match on Waikaka's "Club Day" also ended in a draw, 15-15. Edendale was ahead 10-nil at halftime and increased the lead. The Magpies held the margin until the 75th minute when Vikings halfback Conor Niblock snuck around the ruck and scored a converted try. The Vikings then drew level when Jarrod Lindsay scored. Openside Matt Sinclair was the Vikings' best with support from Nathan Bokser and Hayden Stephen. Edendale lock Alex Burgess put in a big effort, as did first five Jahvis Wallace and halfback Connor Millane. Tokanui beat Bluff 28-24 in Tokanui, while Albion earned a 57-20 win in Te Anau. Albion lock Jack Cochrane was man of the match, while Richie Robinson and Sheamus McGuigan were also key contributors. The highlight of the division two competition was Midlands beating the defending champions Riverton 60-5. The Albion women's team crossed the railway-tracks to take on Pioneer and delivered a dominant 46-7 win. By John Langford
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Barbarians turn a corner with win
In round 10 of Southland senior club rugby the Eastern Northern Barbarians beat the Invercargill Blues 33-26 on their Sponsor's Day at the Gore Showgrounds. Coach A.J. Aitken felt his side was ready to get out of their rut this week. "Things have been clicking at practice, so it was reassuring to get the win. "I felt like we controlled everything in the first half, we were more disciplined this week and more physical." Blues scored first but the locals settled into their work and led 21-7 at halftime. Barbarians led 33-7 before Blues found some holes on the edges and scored some nice tries in the last 15 minutes to earn two bonus points. Angus Simmers was man of the match, while fellow midfielder Vitali Roqica put in some big defensive shots. Prop Troy McIvor played well and Morgy Mitchell slotted into No8 and did a fine job. First five Riley Stewart deserved a mention for his effort, as did prop Tom Scanlan playing his 50th game and Harry McKenzie for making his debut with the club. Marist beat Woodlands 29-26 at Miller St. Man of the match Hunter Burgess scored the game-winning try in the 80th minute, while Pirates Old Boys celebrated their 25th anniversary by beating Star 42-0 at Surrey Park. With three rounds remaining, the Baabaas are now third equal on the points table alongside Marist and Star. The Barbarians have three more 2024 Stag members rejoining the team this Saturday at Woodlands: Woody Kirkwood (lock), Leroy Ferguson (openside) and Connor Collins (halfback). In the division one competition Pioneer did well on its club day to draw 20-20 with the competition leaders Wyndham. In the second half, Pioneer first five Jhardyn Stewart scored his second try before Jordan Anderson kicked the conversion and added a penalty goal to push Pioneer ahead 20-17. Wyndham kicked a penalty goal to ensure the competition points were split evenly. Pioneer blindside flanker Troy Wyatt was confrontational at ruck, while hooker Kerry Power, no8 Damon Hurley and lock Reece Soper led a hard-working Pioneer defensive unit. Pioneer's Braiden Patterson played his 100th. Wyndham's best were halfback Nathan Bee, prop Oliver Woodrow and blindside Logan Dobbie. The Vikings and Edendale match on Waikaka's club day also ended in a draw, 15-15. Edendale was ahead 10-0 at halftime and increased the lead to 15-3. Edendale held the margin until the 75th minute when Vikings halfback Conor Niblock snuck around the ruck and scored a converted try. The Vikings then worked their way up the field from the kick-off to draw level when Jarrod Lindsay scored. Tokanui beat Bluff 28-24 in Tokanui, while Albion earned a 57-20 win in Te Anau. Albion lock Jack Cochrane was man of the match, while Richie Robinson and fellow speedster Sheamus McGuigan were also key contributors to the victory. This Saturday the Vikings head to Te Anau, Pioneer head south to Bluff, Albion host Tokanui while the feature game is between Wyndham and Edendale. The Albion women's team took on Pioneer and delivered a dominant 46–7 win. By John Langford
