Latest news with #AckSoperTrophy
Otago Daily Times
29-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Division 1 final — Ack Soper Trophy
In an exciting division one club rugby final, home team Wyndham claimed the Ack Soper Trophy after beating Edendale 24-18 on Saturday. Ella Scott-Fleming captured some of the action.
Otago Daily Times
29-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Composure key to Div 1 shield victory
Wyndham have won the Ack Soper Trophy after beating Edendale 24-18 in an exciting division one club rugby final in Wyndham. The Edendale team started the game strongly and got out to a 12-0 lead after tries to their wingers Josh Wilson and Phil Brown. Wyndham kept their composure and earned enough possession to score two converted tries before halftime to lead 14-12. Wyndham's veteran midfielder Joe McRae and Edendale's veteran midfielder Jeremy McLeod traded penalty goals before Wyndham scored their third converted try of the afternoon to lead 24-15. McLeod added his second penalty to bring Edendale back into contention but Wyndham were able to hold on to win 24-18. The final was a good game to watch and was well controlled by experienced referee Taylor Swan. Prop Logan Howe was playing his 100th game for Wyndham, while captain and hooker Snow Kingsbury scored one of the three tries. Lock Logan McDonald and Tyrone Braven also scored tries. Wyndham kicker Joe McRae in the second half of the Wyndham vs Edendale Division 1 final for the Ack Soper Trophy in Wyndham on Saturday. PHOTO: ELLA SCOTT-FLEMING Wyndham coaches Jimmy Sinclair and Mark Bryson did well to manage the team through an unbeaten season and win the Ack Soper Trophy for a second straight year. Edendale's prop Adam Muir and lock George Muschamp got stuck into the match that featured some big hits. Halfback Connor Millane was another top performer among an Edendale team that gave everything until the 80th minute. Riverton won the Division Two CJ Soper Trophy for the second straight year after beating Waikiwi 27-20 at Donovan Park in Invercargill on Saturday. Waikiwi had earned home-ground advantage after their unbeaten round-robin season, while the Riverton team had been building up their own confidence and momentum during the last month. Both teams scored three tries in Saturday's final, but it was Riverton first five-eighth Ben Symon who made the difference with his goal kicking. Symon scored one of his team's three tries and converted all three and also added two penalty goals. Prop Chris Patterson and second five-eighth Elliot Warrender scored Riverton's other two tries. The Waikaka Rugby Club finished their 125th year in style by beating Waikaia 31-14 in the Life Members' Trophy final on Saturday, while Albion beat Wyndham 14-5 in the President's Grade Cup final. By John Langford
Otago Daily Times
25-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Oh brother ... rugby final a family affair
Lining up for Wyndham today are (from left) Joe McRae, Matt McRae, Max Bryson, Luke Bryson, Logan Howe and Andy Howe. Family blood runs deep in the two sides taking the field in Wyndham today. As does experience. Wyndham hosts Edendale in the division one Ack Soper Trophy rugby final today, with eight sets of brothers in the squads. Joe McRae, 33, Matt McRae, 36, Max Bryson, 20, Luke Bryson, 18, Logan Howe, 27, and Andy Howe, 33, will turn out for the defending champion Wyndham side. In the Edendale squad are: Darius Takurua, 28, Eruera Takurua, 30, Jeremy McLeod, 32, Devon McLeod, 26, Adam Muir, 35, Luke Muir, 38, Jeroe Fodie, 37, Bram Fodie, 32, Ryan Crump, 21 and Kody Crump, 19. It could have been nine sets but Connor Poyntz-Roberts went overseas mid-season leaving his brother Braden to fly the family flag for Wyndham. Their Edendale opposition is also full of siblings. They are (from back left) Darius Takurua, Eruera Takurua, Jeremy McLeod, Devon McLeod, Adam Muir, Luke Muir; (from front left) Jeroe Fodie, Bram Fodie, Ryan Crump and Kody Crump. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED Playing for your local club is a given for all the brothers. Wyndham coach Jimmy Sinclair said the players began at the club and remained loyal. "They started here. That was their club and that is where they stayed. I don't really think of them as brothers. They are just players who play for each other," he said. Edendale has five sets of brothers in their season squad and like Wyndham, loyalty is held in high regard. Edendale has six guys who have played 100 games for the side and three who have played more than 200 games. Wyndham has 10 players in the starting side who have played more than 100 games with two more on the bench. It also has a couple of players who have played 200-plus games. Edendale captain and hooker Luke Muir is set to play his 220th game for the club tomorrow and it is said to be his last, along with utility Phillip Brown, who will play his 208th and final game.
