Topp win spices up predictions
Central Otago lock Dean Sinnamon beats South Otago defender Sam Stratford to score a try during the Topp Cup game in Alexandra on Saturday. PHOTO: RICHARD JONES
With the top three teams playing the bottom three, the outcome of tomorrow's encounters in the Central Otago premier club competition appear easy to forecast.
Front-runners Upper Clutha will tackle Cromwell at Anderson Park, having beaten them 59-28 in the first round; Wakatipu will tangle with Matakanui Combined at Queenstown, after winning their first clash 45-21; and Alexandra will host Arrowtown at Molyneux Park, having beaten them 32-21 two months ago.
While all that makes for predictable forecasting, spice has been added to the competition following the thrilling Topp Cup victory by Central Region at Alexandra last weekend.
Intriguingly, the Central starting 15 included only two players from Upper Clutha, who won the Central Otago title in 2024 and who have lost only five of their last 45 contests.
The Upper Clutha representatives in the starting 15 were No 8 Jake Burtenshaw, who contributed mightily to Central's 41-38 victory, and hooker Scott Cunningham.
Their colleagues were five players from Wakatipu, four from Alexandra, two from Matakanui Combined and one each from Maniototo and Cromwell.
Even on the reserves bench Upper Clutha were outnumbered, having just one representative there, centre Oliver Stirling, alongside three players from Cromwell, two from Wakatipu and one each from Arrowtown and Alexandra.
Adding additional punch to tomorrow's game at the Queenstown Recreation Ground is the presence of Dean Sinnamon, who romped off with the Topp Cup man of the match award after scoring three tries and dominating in the lineout.
He is, by the way, Central's leading try-scorer this season, with seven touchdowns from as many matches, an amazing statistic given his team is bottom of the competition.
Matakanui Combined are coming off a handsome victory, 42-24 against Arrowtown, their first win since 2023.
It is unlikely they will seriously trouble high-flying Wakatipu, given the magical touches and extreme pace demonstrated by players such as Rube Peina, Jamie Natapu and Conor Hamlin in the Topp Cup, but expect Matakanui Combined to be competitive in the scrums and lineouts .. . and see if Wakatipu can stop Sinnamon scoring a try (as they did in the first round).
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Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Topp win spices up predictions
Central Otago lock Dean Sinnamon beats South Otago defender Sam Stratford to score a try during the Topp Cup game in Alexandra on Saturday. PHOTO: RICHARD JONES With the top three teams playing the bottom three, the outcome of tomorrow's encounters in the Central Otago premier club competition appear easy to forecast. Front-runners Upper Clutha will tackle Cromwell at Anderson Park, having beaten them 59-28 in the first round; Wakatipu will tangle with Matakanui Combined at Queenstown, after winning their first clash 45-21; and Alexandra will host Arrowtown at Molyneux Park, having beaten them 32-21 two months ago. While all that makes for predictable forecasting, spice has been added to the competition following the thrilling Topp Cup victory by Central Region at Alexandra last weekend. Intriguingly, the Central starting 15 included only two players from Upper Clutha, who won the Central Otago title in 2024 and who have lost only five of their last 45 contests. The Upper Clutha representatives in the starting 15 were No 8 Jake Burtenshaw, who contributed mightily to Central's 41-38 victory, and hooker Scott Cunningham. Their colleagues were five players from Wakatipu, four from Alexandra, two from Matakanui Combined and one each from Maniototo and Cromwell. Even on the reserves bench Upper Clutha were outnumbered, having just one representative there, centre Oliver Stirling, alongside three players from Cromwell, two from Wakatipu and one each from Arrowtown and Alexandra. Adding additional punch to tomorrow's game at the Queenstown Recreation Ground is the presence of Dean Sinnamon, who romped off with the Topp Cup man of the match award after scoring three tries and dominating in the lineout. He is, by the way, Central's leading try-scorer this season, with seven touchdowns from as many matches, an amazing statistic given his team is bottom of the competition. Matakanui Combined are coming off a handsome victory, 42-24 against Arrowtown, their first win since 2023. It is unlikely they will seriously trouble high-flying Wakatipu, given the magical touches and extreme pace demonstrated by players such as Rube Peina, Jamie Natapu and Conor Hamlin in the Topp Cup, but expect Matakanui Combined to be competitive in the scrums and lineouts .. . and see if Wakatipu can stop Sinnamon scoring a try (as they did in the first round).
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Two views — one Topp Cup
Southern Region celebrate winning the Topp Cup last season. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Southern view One Topp Cup. Two perspectives. Correspondents Francis Parker (Southern Region) and Bob Howitt (Central Otago) go at it from different angles. The stage is set for another edition of Otago Country regional action, writes Parker. The annual Topp Cup kicks off at Molyneux Park in Alexandra this weekend when hosts Central Otago look to take the prized heirloom off the visiting Southern Region side. Both country competitions have been hard fought this season so far, resulting in numerous players being omitted from both sides due to injury. The Southern Region side has had to battle with injuries and suspensions heading into this match which has seen their depth tested also. Experienced campaigners Josh Turnbull and Ethan Hippolite lead a rugged forward pack that does have a smattering of fresh faces. Prop Mafi Demont has had a fantastic season for Clutha and deserves a crack at the next level. The backline will be marshalled by the Crescent duo of Joshua Cook and Harley McHardy. Clubmate and Otago Country leader Chase Owen is outside them. McHardy adds plenty of experience in a position that was a real head-scratcher for management. The back three of Jack Blair, Junior Meafua, and Jared Hayes boast over 25 tries this season for their respective sides. Southern won the 2024 edition of the clash in Milton last season and, since 2014, the tie has been split five wins each with a no-result in 2020 due to Covid. The Central and Southern Development sides will face off in a curtain-raiser with the future stars on show. Central view Central Otago are out to regain the much-cherished Topp Cup, writes Howitt. It is a trophy with a colourful history, dating from 1913, that gives the winning team significant bragging rights. Of the past 10 contests, five have been won by Central and five by Southern, who finished in front at Milton 12 months ago. "There's a terrific rivalry associated with the Topp Cup," Southern's coach Craig Hyslop said. "Retaining it is always a huge challenge." Midfielder Chase Owen made the winning speech for Southern last year but his rival Tyler Ford, in outstanding form for Alexandra this year, will be wanting to hand out the plaudits to his team this time. Hyslop claims it was his bench players who ultimately won the contest for his team 24-12 in windy conditions last season, super sub Kace Shaw scoring a memorable try to wrap things up late in the game. Ford, who will play centre, will have a major impact on proceedings and will appreciate having Ben Maxwell, now with Maniototo, running the backline from first-five. Loose forward Will Healey, in dynamic form for Alexandra after breaking his ankle last season, is another to watch. Stalwarts of the Central team include lock Dean Sinnamon, who has scored eight tries for Matakanui Combined so far this season, fullback Doug Smith, winger Jamie Natapu, midfielder Rube Peina and No 8 Jake Burtenshaw. Props Mike Phillips (Matakanui Combined) and William Holdom (Alexandra) will anchor the scrum. The Central Otago starting fifteen includes five players from Wakatipu, four from Alexandra and two each from Upper Clutha, Matakanui Combined and Maniototo. The Topp Cup contest will be preceded by a Development Squad clash between the Central and South Otago teams.
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Hat-trick key for Topp thriller
A hat-trick of tries from mobile lock Dean Sinnamon led Central Region to a thrilling 41-38 victory over Southern Region in a highly entertaining contest for the much-treasured Topp Cup at Molyneux Park on Saturday. Lock Sinnamon, already the leading try scorer in the Central Otago club competition this season, remarkable enough for a team that is bottom of the competition, romped away with the man of the match award, controlling the lineout as well as proving a champion finisher. He was one of three players who dominated the scoring. Central second five Rube Peina goal-kicked impeccably, converting all five of his team's tries and adding two penalty goals for a 16-point haul while Southern Region fullback Jared Hayes finished with 18 points from a try, five conversions and a penalty goal. Remarkably, only one kick at goal, an attempt by Peina from near halfway, missed. Southern, holders of the Topp Cup, led only once in the game, at 14-10, and appeared down and out when trailing 31-41 with 12 minutes remaining. But a daring 'hail Mary' pass from the Central backs, full of confidence as they sought another five-pointer, was intercepted by Southern winger Junior Meafua, who sprinted 80m for a try between the posts. Suddenly the game was wide open and when Southern surged back to the 22, it seemed they might steal an outrageous victory. But Central's defence was up to the challenge and the Topp Cup went to the team that, across 80 minutes, produced the classier rugby. Besides Sinnamon and Peina, Central's star performers were the Alexandra pair of lock Will Healey and halfback ''Chugga'' O'Neill, flanker Anton Huisman, centre and captain Tyler Ford and flying wingers Jamie Natapu and Conor Hamlin. Cromwell's Rhys Harrold, a late replacement for Ben Maxwell, ran the backline expertly from first-five. Southern fullback Hayes, a star of his team's victory in 2024, threatened to win the game on his own but found the challenge just too great. Halfback Sam Stratford contributed plenty and scored two tries while lock Damian Wilson ensured his team had ample ball to work with. But although there was only three points separating the sides at the final whistle, Central triumphed as the superior attacking team. In the curtainraisers, Central won the men's development contest 21-14 while the women's game went to Alhambra Union 26-21 over the Central Otago Does. — Bob Howitt
