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Otago Daily Times
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Momona in day of upsets
It was a day of upsets in the premier women's competition on Saturday, with Momona leading the charge, surprising the previously unbeaten Kings United Royals 3-2, to take the Challenge Shield off their hands. From the word go, the game was back and forth, Momona intent on walking away with the shield. Their early pressure went unrewarded though, Kings then able to grow into the game. The league leaders provided the first real moment of quality, Nina Murphy able to glide through the midfield, before slipping a ball in behind to Sarah Jennings, who tucked it away from close range. It could have been a killer for Momona, but they responded by going straight back, where Sorrell Shand dropped deep, before driving across three defenders, allowing her to unleash a worldie of a reverse to level things up on quarter time. Nothing of note happened through the second quarter, the game becoming increasingly cagey. There was the odd missed chance in the third, but nothing ultimately happened until Millie Calder snuck one into the back of the net, giving Momona a priceless lead. Things became desperate for Kings, but they duly responded, as McKaela Woodward responded with a goal inside a minute after the restart. It was short-lived relief though, as with Kings down a player, Louisa Kotkamp was able to bury what ultimately proved to be the winner for Momona with ten minutes to play. It was a masterclass in game management from the ladies in red, who have once again blown the grade wide open. The upsets didn't stop there either, as the in-form University Huskies stunned the City Highlanders 2-1. It was not all pretty for the students, but a penalty corner goal in the second and third quarters gave them enough of a buffer, as they defended stoutly to get over the line to what is a huge victory for their season. In the day's other game, the Taieri Tigers routed the University Stingrays 4-0, Katie Garrett bagging a well-taken brace. The Tigers will be hoping this can kick-start a revival to their stumbling season. In the men's side of things, it was again the James Nicolson show for the Taieri Tuataras, as they escaped with a 3-1 win over the Kings United Cobras. A scrappy Charles Darling drag flick was enough to fool the Taieri defence early on, and with Taieri struggling, it looked like they would slip to defeat, but a drag flick from Nicolson was followed by a belting strike at the near post, breaking Kings hearts. With the keeper off, Oliver Battrick completed the comeback by popping it into an empty net. Elsewhere, a resolute effort from the University Whales was not enough, as they fell 4-2 to the Albany Alligators. The Gators again just had too much fire power, with usual suspects Jack Cotton and Nic Finlayson doing the damage at the start of the fourth quarter. The Southland Barbarians won 3-2 in the bottom of the table clash with the University Stingrays. By Nicholas Friedlander
Otago Daily Times
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Youthful side end City Highlanders' reign
PHOTO: ODT FILES After a reign that stretched over 900 days, the City Highlanders have ceded the Challenge Shield to the exciting, young Kings United Royals side, after falling to a 3-2 defeat. Despite the Royals heading in on top of the table and unbeaten, with the shield being up for grabs, this would be a tough test. Kings made the best possible start to the challenge though, as Madi Lobb fired home inside the first three minutes. City didn't panic though and after working a couple of penalty corners, it was one that went slightly array that got them back on level terms. After it broke down on the top, Hayley Cox went to a good old-fashioned straight hit, and it caught the Royals off-guard. The game was surprisingly open, with chances at both ends kept out by Rachael Lecky and Lily Le Brun in the second quarter, before Lobb stuck away her second just before halftime. City were not going to go down without a fight though, again equalising at penalty corner time. This one was far more routine, a spot deflection from Tessa Jopp giving Lecky next to no chance. Back on level terms, the Highlanders really began to turn the screw, dominating the rest of the third quarter and continuing it on into the fourth. They wanted the win, but equally, a draw would have been good enough for them to retain the shield. They had all the territory to start the final stanza, but one chance against the run of play was all Kings would need. They got the ball down into the attacking 25, before a hopeful diagonal took the faintest of touches off Chloe Deerness' stick, on its way into the back of the net. There was still 10 to play, but the Highlanders were beaten this time, failing to properly test Lecky before time expired. It was jubilation for the Royals, who add the shield to their earlier Toast Cup victory. Elsewhere in the premier women's grade, Momona were again off the boil, but they still chalked up a 4-1 win over the University Stingrays. In the late game, a late Ella Rogers goal saw the University Huskies sneak to a 1-0 win over the Taieri Tigers. Due to scheduling changes, there was also a shield game in the premier men's competition, but there was to be no boilover, as the Taieri Tuataras pounded the University Whales 4-0. It was a fairly dour game, but James Nicolson bagged a hat-trick to ease his side home. The other two games were hopelessly one-sided, as the Albany Alligators registered 15 goals again, downing the Panthers 15-0 as Jack Cotton got himself another five-goal haul. Down in Southland, it was a special day for the Nation family, as 15-year-old Max Nation scored a hat-trick on premier debut, playing alongside his father James, as the Kings United Cobras cruised to a 9-0 win over the Barbarians. By Nicholas Friedlander
Otago Daily Times
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Young players step up for Tuataras
A young Taieri Tuataras side eased to an 8-1 win over the University Panthers in the Dunedin premier men's clash on Saturday, keeping a firm grip on the Challenge Shield. With some of the more experienced Tuas players set to be unavailable over the back half of the season, coach Jarrod Casey took the chance to field several youngsters from the in-form division two table-toppers, the Taieri Geckos, attempting to build some depth for the future. As a result, Taieri were a little slow to get going, though first-half goals to James Nicolson, Zeke Buschl, Solomon Baldock and Alex McDonald meant they were never in any danger of losing the contest. To the Panthers' credit, they were more resolute defensively than they have been so far this season and continued to work hard with limited counter-attacking opportunities. Nicolson added his second goal midway through the third quarter, but there was some reward for University when Tom Foster duffed a shot, which totally deceived the Taieri goalkeeper, and the ball dribbled into the back of the net. Taieri responded by speeding up play through the centre of the field. A second goal to Baldock followed, before debutant James Broderick got on the scoresheet. Hugo Maitland rounded out the scoring with a well-taken stroke. Best for the Tuas on the day were the Meder brothers, Baxter and Thomas, in the defensive midfield area, both proving to be absolute workhorses. Buschl was also classy as always. At the same time, the Albany Alligators were showing zero mercy to the Southland Barbarians, chalking up a 15-0 win. From a competition perspective, it was a highly disappointing outcome, and a real step back for the Southlanders, who nearly tipped up the University Whales a week earlier. Jack Cotton scored five goals, while Nick Parata, Josh Stevens and Hamish Davenport all walked away with doubles to their name. In the other men's game, defence was deemed optional in the first half, as Charles Darling slotted home a dragflick midway through the second quarter for his Kings United Cobras side, making it 3-2 at that juncture. Earlier, the University Whales had managed to take the lead, but that was as good as it got as they succumbed to a 5-3 defeat, keeping the Cobras in touch with the Tuas and Alligators. In the premier women's competition, the University Huskies were the big winners, picking up a shootout win over Momona. In the driving rain, the Huskies really wanted it, and they were deserving of the extra point, which sees them close the gap on Momona in third. Elsewhere, both the Kings United Cobras and City Highlanders picked up big 7-0 wins over the University Stingrays and the Taieri Tigers respectively. — Nicholas Friedlander
NZ Herald
01-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Whanganui club rugby: Promising first fives ones to watch in Taihape v Rātana match
Taihape won't have the Barracks Challenge Shield to defend, having surrendered it last weekend to Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau 38-26, but the inter-club Whenuaroa Shield will be at stake. 'We've just been struggling just for a real solid bench, had a few guys unavailable and a few guys injured, especially from the Marist game [in week one],' said Taihape coach Sefo Bourke. 'We went into the Kaierau game not as deep on the bench as we'd like – the reason why Tremaine [Gilbert] had to play off the bench. 'I think, in the end, that's what got us as well as their fast start and our poor start.' Taihape have been reinforced in the front row by the Hakaraias – 55-game Whanganui rep Gabriel and former Development XV and Māori rep Te Uhi, transferring from McCarthy's Transport Ruapehu. 'They've been an awesome edition, obviously Gabe again, but him bringing Te Uhi and Jack Kinder,' said Bourke of the talented flanker. Taihape's other experienced men include Peter-Travis Hay-Horton, Matt Brown and Hoani Woodhead in the pack, backed by Tyler Rogers-Holden, Tiari Mumby and Cyrus Tasi out wide. Veteran Luke Whale is assisting Bourke and Gilbert as a backs coach, as his knee injury during the warm-up for Whanganui's game against King Country last October has not come right. Interestingly, former Whanganui captain Dane Whale remains on the reserves bench. 'We just want to develop Chad into the player we think he can be – definitely got a lot of natural talent there – but just his game management stuff he needs to work on, especially for us,' said Bourke. 'We've got Dane there as a back-up at the moment, Dane's just easing his way back into footy. 'His experience, he offers a lot, off the bench gives us really good cover in most of the backline positions.' That backline will have to work hard to contain the likes of Rātana's Mason, fullback Rangi Kui and young skipper Brooklyn Herewini. But Bourke fancies the prospects of his own bolters as well. 'Young Hamuera Raukawa on the wing has played two really, really good games – he got a really good try against Kaierau which kept us in the game.' Draw Taihape v Rātana Memorial Park; Kaierau v Marist, Country Club (Challenge Shield).
Otago Daily Times
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Tuataras keep hold of Challenge Shield — just
The Taieri Tuataras defended the Challenge Shield when an Oliver Battrick double dragged them to a 2-2 draw against the Kings United Cobras as the Otago premier men's competition resumed on Saturday. With the game falling at the end of the university break, Taieri were missing a few of their star players, which had many predicting them to lose the shield they have held for nearly two years. Naturally, when Charles Darling flicked home inside the first five minutes, it seemed a shield heist was firmly on the cards. The challengers remained on the front foot, but were unable to double their lead, despite a couple of close shaves for the Taieri defence. Against the run of play, the Tuataras equalised, as Battrick got away a powerful drag flick, which flew through traffic into the back of the net. In the heat, fitness would be key in the second half, but it seemed Kings just wanted it more, as their edge in the game continued into the third quarter. They knocked on the door, and eventually they caught Taieri napping, as Sam Gradwell scored from close range to restore Kings' lead. Kings took that and ran with it, growing in confidence. They possibly should have doubled their lead, but they missed a couple of gilt-edged opportunities and it ultimately came back to bite them. With six and a-half minutes remaining, Battrick took the ball on the counter-attack, charging into the left of the circle, before unleashing a rocket on his reverse that would have beaten any keeper, as it smashed in off the inside of the post. Kings pulled their keeper and desperately chased a winner, but they could not find it. An extra competition point by winning the shootout was some consolation, but it was the Tuataras who walked away the happier side. Battrick was of course immense, but playing nearly the whole game, plenty of credit needs to go Taieri defensive duo Zeke Buschl and Baxter Meder, who cleaned up all the messes at the back. For Kings, Nick Casey was busy up front, while Gordy Chatfield caused plenty of issues with his towering overheads. With the Southland Barbarians defaulting to the University Panthers, there was just one other premier men's game, the Albany Alligators beating the University Whales 3-2. It was a brave effort from the Whales, who were down on numbers, but they could not quite keep up with Albany's impressive strike line. In the premier women's competition, a fast start got the job done for the City Highlanders who scored three goals in the first quarter to set up a 3-1 win over Momona. Momona fought hard, getting one back in the third quarter, but it was ultimately to big a mountain to climb. The other two games were fairly one-sided with the Kings United Royals smoking the Taieri Tigers 5-0, and the University Huskies beating the University Stingrays by the same score. By Nicholas Friedlander
