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Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- 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
Otago Daily Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Sri Lanka trip ‘awesome experience'
Former WBHS pupil Ben Sinnamon (second left) with New Zealand Under 85kg team player Josh Gellert (left), fellow coach Will Henry (a former North Otago player) and Simon Sia. PHOTO: JOHNNY HENDRIKUS / NEW ZEALAND RUGBY From Oamaru to Auckland and as far away as Sri Lanka — rugby has taken Ben Sinnamon across the globe. The former Waitaki Boys' High School head boy has made a name for himself in the coaching ranks. He recently returned home from Sri Lanka where he was an assistant coach for the New Zealand Under-85kg team. While Sri Lanka is not known as a rugby-mad country, Sinnamon said the locals got right behind both games. "It was an awesome experience. They're such friendly people and they're really trying to grow the game of rugby over there. "We really didn't appreciate how much they love rugby in Sri Lanka until we arrived. "We certainly felt their love and their connection to the game and I think we had crowds of about 25,000 people at both our matches so it was a really cool experience." Their first match in Kandy was particularly special, he said. "The ground was almost like a cauldron effect. The crowd was really close and really noisy. "It was just one of those moments that make the hair stand up on your neck, just the noise and the atmosphere and the positivity of the place — I'll never forget that. "It sort of took me back to the old school days in New Zealand when the crowds were allowed to storm the field and the crowd was really close to the action." Sinnamon hoped the tour could spur even more growth in under-85kg rugby. "It's an established grade but it's one that's growing pretty fast. It's really an opportunity for players that might not have continued playing rugby after their 20s or after high school. "It's a different brand of rugby, as well. It's faster, it's obviously lightweight but it promotes free, flowing rugby and I think it was on display in Sri Lanka." He enjoyed getting out into the community as they ran coaching clinics for local players and coaches. Sinnamon was also announced as Auckland Storm head coach for this year's Farah Palmer Cup after serving as an assistant last season. "It's a campaign I'm really looking forward to, diving into. We've got a big challenge ahead, but it'll be cool." Their squad will be on the younger side as Black Ferns players are unavailable due to the Rugby World Cup, but Sinnamon said it would still be an exciting and talented group. He got his start coaching, coincidentally, in the under-85kg grade for the Ponsonby Rugby Club. "I've really enjoyed coaching; I found it was a way to stay in touch with the game after hanging up the boots myself." He has been in Auckland for 11 years. He and his wife have three children. Both his parents and some of his extended family live in Waitaki. "We definitely see ourselves moving down south at some point, but for now we're pretty entrenched in Auckland. "It's amazing how quick time flies. I didn't anticipate ever calling myself an Aucklander, but I'd better watch out."
Otago Daily Times
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Mudfish break drought with win
Matakanui caused the upset of the round when they toppled Arrowtown in the Central premier rugby competition. Running away with their first victory since 2023, Matakanui defeated Arrowtown 42-29 at Omakau on Saturday. It was a big occasion for the Mudfish, who recognised captain Dean Sinnamon's 100th game at home — which he played the week before away against Alexandra — and Sinnamon scored two tries in the romp. It was a big turnaround from their clash seven weeks ago when Arrowtown, who were also the last team Matakanui beat, ran away with a big 66-15 victory. Alexandra made the trip to Cromwell and returned home with a 40-26 win against the Goats. All the talk had been about Cromwell's vaunted scrum, which has been pushing teams around the park all season. But Alexandra were up for the challenge, putting in an almighty heave at their set piece and shifted Cromwell off the ball. All of a sudden Alexandra had two tries to show for it and were away. Centre Tyler Ford dotted down twice in the opening two minutes and converted his team's five tries to finish with a haul of 20 points. Cromwell scored two late tries through Peni Delai and Mitchell Condon to bring the scoreline back slightly. Alexandra (30 points) now sit second, giving themselves a little breathing room between them and third place Wakatipu (22 points). The Upper Clutha Rams, who are top of the table with 31 points, sealed a 28-14 victory against Maniototo to cap off their 12th jubilee celebrations. There was a bumper turn out for the clash and celebrations and winger Ulysse Martineau scored twice for the Rams The victory means the White Horse Trophy will stay with the Wanaka-based team. Alexandra are home to Wakatipu this weekend, Arrowtown will host the Upper Clutha Rams and Maniototo will face Cromwell. — APL
