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Otago Daily Times
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Acid on Wakatipu against in-form Alex
After losses to Maniototo and Upper Clutha, the acid is right on Wakatipu as they travel to Molyneux Park to tackle in-form Alexandra tomorrow. Alexandra, finalists the past two seasons, have established a telling eight-point advantage over Wakatipu, and a win tomorrow would virtually assure them an important home semifinal. Wakatipu know they can beat Alexandra, having dealt to them 31-3 early in the season, but while the Armadillos have improved match by match, Wakatipu have struggled for consistency and know tomorrow represents a huge challenge. Wakatipu coach Jordan Manihera says last weekend's bye was "really beneficial" for his team. "We had a really close watch of the replay of our White Horse Cup challenge against Upper Clutha, identifying areas where we went wrong. "We've identified areas where we can improve." Alexandra have had a confidence boost with five players being named in the Central Otago team for next weekend's Topp Cup clash with South Otago; centre Tyler Ford, — also named as captain — prop William Holdom, No 8 James Dobson, lock Will Healey and halfback Ryan O'Neill. One who did not win selection but who was a standout against Cromwell last weekend was Ryley Park, who showed extreme pace and elusiveness at both second-five and later at wing. One of the most startling features of Alexandra's 40-26 win over Cromwell was the power of their scrum, heaving the locals back ruthlessly in the opening quarter to create two telling tries. Arrowtown, sitting a forlorn sixth in the competition after the shock loss to tailenders Matakanui Combined, have home advantage to Upper Clutha, but it may not be enough. Upper Clutha had to work overtime to retain the White Horse Trophy against Maniototo, but hung in valiantly to record the 39th win from their last 44 games at Arrowtown's expense. Maniototo beat Cromwell 40-12 in their first-round clash and it is hard not to see them coming out on top when they meet at Ranfurly tomorrow. Forty is a score Cromwell have now conceded three times this season. Rhys Harrold's return at first-five gave them a lift against Alexandra, but they demonstrated in that game that there is still room for massive improvement.
CTV News
09-05-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Warriors' Draymond Green tells reporters he's tired of portrayal as an ‘angry Black man'
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) reacts toward referee Tyler Ford during the second half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Thursday, May 8, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Otago Daily Times
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Alex's win over Upper Clutha throws competition wide open
Alexandra overcame their under-lights duck-shooting hoodoo to hand Upper Clutha just their third loss in 32 matches at Wanaka on Thursday night, winning 31-27 and throwing the Central Otago premier club rugby competition wide open. Before Thursday Alexandra hadn't won under lights. It was the bogey team captain, and man of the match, Tyler Ford desperately wanted to get rid of. His team had previously come unstuck pursuing an attacking policy when the ball had become slippery from the night-time dew. But at Wanaka on Thursday heavy overhead cloud kept the ball and surface comparatively dry, resulting in a cracking spectacle that looked as if it was being played in 23C° instead of the existing 6C°. Alexandra scored in the second minute of the first half and, after trailing 10-12 at halftime, in the second minute of the second half. Hooker Ben Allan scored his fourth try of the season and No 8 Will Healey, one of the game's standout individuals, also dotted down. With Ford directing operations superbly, and kicking five goals, Alexandra clung desperately to their four-point lead as Upper Clutha threw everything at them in the final stages. It became only Upper Clutha's third loss in 32 matches across three seasons, a remarkable record, but was not unpredictable given they have lost their try-scoring and goal-kicking aces from last season, Thomas Jarman and Brady Kingan, and have other key players out injured. Upper Clutha still lead on 22 points, one ahead of Wakatipu, who they challenge for the White Horse Trophy at Queenstown this Saturday, while Alexandra, just one point further back, take on bottom-placed Matakanui Combined. Wakatipu bounced back from their shock loss to Maniototo by running Cromwell ragged 40-8 at Anderson Park. While the Cromwell scrum was in command, claiming five tightheads, the home team's backs were overwhelmed by Wakatipu's classy lot, three-quarters Jack Caunter, Michael Rewi and James Natapu all contributing tries. One ray of hope for Cromwell is that classy five-eighth Rhys Harold made a 20-minute cameo and should be back in the starting lineup in a fortnight, with Cromwell having the bye this Saturday. Maniototo solidified their standing in fourth place with a comfortable 29-12, five tries to two, victory over Matakanui Combined at Omakau. They will now host Arrowtown at Ranfurly. — Bob Howitt
