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Otago Daily Times
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Yet another intriguing race in the Citizens Shield
You probably know this story by now. It has been another tight race in the Citizens Shield this year and yet again there has been movement up and down the ladder — including a new leader. And while they might be taking a break for King's Birthday this weekend, there are still plenty of talking points from the first seven weeks in North Otago. Athletic Marist has returned to the top of the standings after they beat Maheno 46-33 last weekend. Athies captain Savenaca Rabaka scored twice in that game for his side, who is continuing to build nicely through the season. They held a 17-12 lead at halftime against a nuggety Maheno side in Oamaru and came home strong to score eight tries. Athies are clear at the top of the table with 28 points from their five wins and two losses, and eight bonus points. But Valley are hot on their heels though after a bright weekend for the Weston club. They scored a 20-13 victory against Excelsior in a repeat of last year's final and reversed their fortunes from a loss during round one. First five Isaac Clunie was sublime driving his team around the park and his boot helped put the pressure on early. Valley held a 10-3 at halftime and put in a huge defensive effort to keep Blues out from the line until late in the piece. The Weston side has also welcomed a couple of players from Japanese club Toyota Verblitz again this season after their recent arrival. They welcomed two players last season after coach Barry Matthews struck up a pathway with his friend, and former All Blacks coach, Steve Hansen, who is at the Japanese club. Valley are now on 27 points from their six wins, and just the one loss to Blues earlier, and three bonus points. Blues, who are the defending champions, are now third with their five wins, and two losses, and five bonus points. Old Boys hold on to fourth spot with 22 points, with their four wins, and three losses, and six bonus points. But they had a tight game up the Waitaki Valley against Kurow last week. Old Boys scored in the dying minutes to snatch a 33-32 victory against the Red Devils, who put in a big shift after trailing 19-14 at halftime. Kurow are fifth on the table with right points from their one win and six losses and four bonus points. Maheno, who have been hampered by injuries all season, are winless after seven games, but have five bonus points. Kurow and Maheno are out of the playoff contention with just the three round-robin games remaining, but they both have played some brilliant rugby and put in some big shifts against the rest of the competition.
Otago Daily Times
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Strong defence deals blow to champs
Photo: ODT files Valley fronted up in a big way defensively to beat the defending Citizens Shield champions on Saturday. The 20-13 win over Excelsior avenged their loss earlier this season. It was a clinical performance on defence as it took Blues more than 80 minutes to score a try. Valley controlled most of the possession and territory of the match, but small errors at important moments prevented them building a commanding lead. Following an early penalty from Isaac Clunie they finally ran in their first try and it was a beauty. A well-worked backline manoeuvre off a solid scrum put winger Jakob Cunningham in some space out wide. He dashed away and drew in the final Blues defender before passing it inside to Jake Matthews who scored under the sticks. Two Josh Phipps penalties either side of halftime kept Blues close. Just as it looked like Blues might have some momentum, Valley wrestled it back with another try. Their forwards rolled up their sleeves and toiled away, carry after carry until eventually they broke the Blues defence as Jake Greenslade crashed over. A second penalty from the boot of Clunie pushed the lead to two converted tries. With time running out, Blues finally strung some phases together. They were attacking in Valley's half for most of the final quarter but could not crack it. Eventually, with time up on the clock, Oli Knopp was able to break through and score to help ease the loss. It was a far from perfect performance from Valley but good teams find a way to win and they did just that. Up the valley in Kurow, Old Boys snatched a late win over the Red Devils. It was tight all the way through, but the visitors scored in the final minute to claim a narrow 33-32 win. Athletic Marist ran in eight tries to beat Maheno 46-33 in the final match of the round. After a tumultuous fortnight for the country club coming off defaulting last weekend, they showed plenty of fight in the first half to only be trailing by five at the half. Unfortunately for them, Athies kicked into gear in the second 40 to take the win.
