Latest news with #SouthernRegion
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- 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
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
7 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Two views — one Topp Cupp
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.
Zawya
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Zawya
Eritrea: Mass Sport and Athletics Competition in Dekemhare
A mass sport and athletics competition was held in Dekemhare city on 18 May in connection with the 34th Independence Day anniversary. The event, organized in collaboration with the Culture and Sports Department in the Southern Region and the Dekemhare sub-zone administration, featured 68 athletes, including 53 female athletes, from the sub-zones of the region, clubs from the Central Region, and the Denden club. The competitions included 3,000 and 10,000-meter races for female athletes, as well as 5,000 and 10,000-meter races for male athletes. Athlete Hirity Habte won the 3,000-meter race, while Athlete Teklehaimanot Berhene took first place in the 5,000-meter race. In the 10,000-meter category, Olympian Athlete Rahel Daniel won the women's race, and Athlete Amanuel Berhe triumphed in the men's race. Speaking at the event, Mr. Yemane Abera, Administrator of the Dekemhare sub-zone, noted the significance of the event, emphasizing that it was held in the same area where the final offensive for the total liberation of the country took place. He also commended those who organized the colorful event. Mr. Abraham Yohannes, Director General of Culture and Sports in the region, stated that the program was part of the 34th Independence Day anniversary celebrations and praised the strong participation demonstrated by the athletes and the public. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.
Otago Daily Times
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Second-half dominance cements winning streak
Clutha maintained their unbeaten streak with a 34-25 win over West Taieri in a Southern Region game at the Balclutha Showgrounds on Saturday. West Taieri flew out of the blocks and were strong in the opening stages of the clash. They rumbled up the middle and found space out wide, where they scored some nice tries. Clutha did not have much possession to attack with but showed glimpses of what they were capable of when they had the ball. A brace of tries each to hooker Luke Moeke and halfback Jackson Reid helped West Taieri go into halftime 25-8 ahead. The second half was dominated by Clutha who, thanks to some impact from the bench, found their stride and held all the cards in the game. Clutha's bench lifted the whole team, and they began to make metres with the ball. Their forwards dominated the collision, and their lineout was a real strike weapon. West Taieri had no answer as the Clutha side steamed to victory. Toko also remain unbeaten after five rounds after a strong 43-27 win over Owaka at Swamp Hen Park. The opening 25 minutes were dominated by Owaka but they could not penetrate the Toko defensive line. On the half-hour mark, with neither side on the scoreboard, Toko scored an opportunistic try against the run of play to open their account. From there, Toko rushed out to a 12-0 lead. Owaka prop Chris Preddy was red-carded midway through the half, but it was the home side who finished the half stronger and led 13-12 at the break. The second half featured Toko capitalising on Owaka's poor discipline and lengthy injury list as the bench was emptied early. Two further yellow cards for Owaka allowed Toko to finish strongly and run away with the game. Defending champions Clutha Valley won their second match in a row as they beat Heriot 41-38 in front of a sizable crowd at Clydevale. The first half belonged to Valley, who demonstrated the skill and ability that has been lacking in recent weeks. Their forwards held on to the ball well and their backs found space. Valley went into halftime 35-10 ahead and full of confidence. Heriot came back into the fight in a big way in the second half. They controlled possession and kept Valley on the back foot for the majority of the half. Two key penalties to Valley goal kicker Ben Smart kept Heriot at bay and in the end, those kicks were crucial as Valley held on to win. Crescent bounced back from their disappointment from last weekend in style. The Coal Miners thrashed Lawrence 56-8 at Simpson Park thanks to an individual haul of 31 points by Kairus Booth. Crescent were dominant in all aspects of the game and rarely gave Lawrence a chance to show their worth. The first half was extremely one-sided before Lawrence finally got a chance to show some attacking brilliance. After a brief attacking period, where they scored their only try, Lawrence ran out of legs and Crescent finished well to retain the Miners Cup. By Francis Parker
