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Otago Daily Times
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Valley, Old Boys looks too close to call
Old Boys' No 8, Junior Fakatoufifita. PHOTO: ODT FILES No more than three points have separated the two all season. So, it is safe to say tomorrow's semifinal between Valley and Old Boys is set to be a humdinger as they fight for a spot in the Citizens Shield final in North Otago. Valley have been one of the top seeds all season and have beaten Old Boys twice this year: 26-24 on April 26, and 22-19 on June 17. But Old Boys have proved time and time again that you can never count them out. The Oamaru side head into the game on a high. They strung together their best performance of the season to eventually dispatch Athletic Marist 36-24 last weekend in a highly entertaining encounter. Old Boys halfback Tini Feke ran away with a hat-trick before halftime and young Alex Wilson stepped up off the tee to keep his side in front. No 8 Junior Fakatoufifita was a massive ball-carrier as always, and will be one for Valley to shut down early. Valley will be wanting to bounce back and have a fire in the belly after losing their quarterfinal 31-15 to defending champions Excelsior at home last week. The men from Weston wrapped up the regular season as the top seed and had a rare blip in an otherwise strong campaign to start their playoffs. However, they still get a shot at the final after the loser of the 1 v 2 quarterfinal is thrown a lifeline. Valley are always strong up front and prop Jake Greenslade still found his way to the line twice last week. They will look for the spine they are always known for to step up against a physical Old Boys Excelsior have the week off after booking their spot in the final.
Otago Daily Times
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Athletic Marist retain trophy
A chaotic final five minutes that had two lead changes ended with Athletic Marist being crowned the Pasifika kings of rugby again. They led Old Boys 25-20 late in their Citizens Shield round nine game on Saturday. Old Boys were able to work their way down the field and eventually into the Athies' 22m. Their forwards inched closer and closer to the line before halfback Tini Feke burrowed over under the posts. Alex Wilson knocked over the easy conversion to give Old Boys a two-point lead with time running out. They were able to secure the ball from the kick-off, but Athies won a penalty at the breakdown. They opted for the shot at goal, despite having at this point used two goal-kickers, neither of whom had made a single kick. A third kicker, Osea Qamasea, stepped up for his first attempt of the game, lined up from about 40m out, and nailed it. Athies led by one point, but Old Boys were not done yet. A sloppy clearance gave them one last crack. The Athies defence stood tall, however, and they escaped with the 28-27 win. It was the second annual clash for the Pasifika Kings of Rugby Bowl, which Athletic Marist retained. Earlier, it was Old Boys who set the tone early. They turned down an easy three points to take a quick tap which paid off as Sailosi Vea scored. Athies hit back with a try of their own from Mateo Qoliesse before Wilson knocked over a penalty for Old Boys. Athies then ran in three straight tries to build a 10-point lead. A brilliant individual try from Old Boys' Hopoate Finau, in which he beat three Athies defenders, made it a 20-17 game at halftime. Athies scored early in the second half before Wilson kicked a second penalty to set up the thrilling finish. Elsewhere, Valley stayed top of the table after a convincing 44-11 win over Kurow. Sporting special edition jerseys to honour the 20th anniversary of the undefeated 2005 side, they ran in seven tries to get the job done. The victory extends their win streak to seven in a row. Excelsior were dominant in their 61-34 win over Maheno. The sides combined for 15 tries and 95 points.
