SCORES: Christchurch 23 University 10; New Brighton 26 Shirley 19; Burnside 25 HSOB 8; Sumner 35 Linwood 13; Sydenham 60 Marist Albion 12; Lincoln University 43 Belfast 0.

MOUTH-WATERING CUP CLASH LOOMS ON QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY WEEKEND

Top of the table Sydenham and Lincoln University square off at Hospital Corner next Saturday in the penultimate round of the Hawkins Cup Metro premier division one competition with the winner most likely to be crowned Cup champions.

Both teams have suffered just one loss in nine rounds with Sydenham, which last won the round-robin in 1999, holding a two-point lead over Lincoln University courtesy of two more bonus points. Lincoln University won the Cup for three successive seasons before being denied by New Brighton last year.

The two teams have been the most impressive throughout the season, Sydenham being tripped up by Christchurch and Lincoln University, without 10 players on representative duty, succumbing to Linwood in a boil-over.

In the final round, Lincoln University will be heavily favoured to topple Shirley, but Sydenham will be wary of fifth-placed University especially if the students can field their best line-up.

There were no surprises in round nine. Sydenham scored 10 tries in its demolition of Marist Albion while Lincoln University bagged seven against Belfast.

Third-placed Christchurch found itself 10 points down against University after 25min, but the red-and-blacks scored the next 23 points. Burnside, on its Club Day, consolidated its position in the top six with veteran halfback Phil Gibson scoring the bonus-point try against helpless High School Old Boys on the stroke of full-time.

Sumner No.8 Dylan Nel, a six-point leader in the race for the Hawkins Medal Most Valuable Player award, scored twice and stood out against Linwood before being subbed with 30min to play.

Another to score a brace was New Brighton second-five Walter Huata who did so for the third time this season. His two tries helped the seasiders to a bonus-point 26-19 win over Shirley who fought back from 26-7 after 50min.

Christchurch first-five Dan Dorgan has a two-point lead over Sumner’s Nick Cumming in the top points-scorer contest while Lincoln University wing Nick Lake, with nine, is two tries ahead of Nel, Belfast wing Sireli Kacilala and Lincoln’s Josh McKay.

CHRISTCHURCH v UNIVERSITY

At Christchurch Park: Christchurch 23 (Penalty try; Oakley Johnston try; Dan Dorgan conv, 3 pen) beat University 10 (James Tofa try; Seamus Bardoul conv, pen). HT: 0-10. Referee: Jeremy McAlister. Sin-bin: Caleb Aperahama, Jone Macilai (both University).

It’s a game of two halves as the old saying goes and this match proved that theory. Christchurch turned around a 0-10 deficit at half-time to score 23 unanswered second-half points. A lack of discipline from the students was a factor in the loss.

University were on the receiving end of a 20-6 penalty count and played 20min of the second half with 14 men after receiving two yellow cards. Caleb Aperahama was sin-binned in the 50^th minute, although it was down to constant infringing by his team on their own goal-line. Crusader wing Jone Macilai was then dealt the same fate in the 70^th for a head-high tackle.

University led after only 5min when James Tofa dived on a Finlay Christie grubber to score untouched. Seamus Bardoul kicked the conversion and a good penalty from almost 40m after 25min to give his side a 10-nil lead.

Despite Christchurch dominating territory in the first half they were unable to cross the University line mainly due to a lack of ball-handling skills. At one point midway through the half, Christchurch had spent no less than 10min camped inside the University 22m with the ball.

One positive for the home side was at scrum time where they dominated the students.

Whatever was said at half-time worked wonders for the home side who were completely unrecognisable from the team that turned out in the first half.

Christchurch were awarded a penalty try immediately after Aperahama was sent to the sin-bin. A penalty on the hour from Dan Dorgan tied the scores.

A string of penalties ensured Christchurch had an easy passage back towards the University goal-line and on 70min they hit the lead for the first time with Dorgan striking another penalty.

The red-and-blacks finished the game off with 5min to play after replacement Oakley Johnston was awarded a try after a 10m rolling maul. A final penalty with seconds to play meant University would need a try for a bonus point. They came close through Tofa but the centre was pulled down just short of the line.

Christchurch captain William Mills was strong for his team. He won his lineout ball and was heavily involved at the breakdown. He made plenty of tackles and was instrumental in getting his team going forward. Charlie O’Connell was heavily involved also especially in the second half when it really mattered. Halfback Nick Annear’s vision and distribution of the ball from the base was good also.

Caleb Aperahama was strong for University. Despite receiving an unfortunate yellow card his work rate was huge. He made a number of tackles and disrupted the Christchurch lineout on a number of occasions. Finlay Christie had a good 60min in his first game back after a lengthy suspension. Ryan O’Sullivan also had a good game for the students.

Hawkins Medal (MVP): William Mills (Christchurch) 3, Charlie O’Connell (Christchurch) 2, Caleb Aperahama (University) 1

Glenn Matthews

No curtain-raiser was played.

NEW BRIGHTON v SHIRLEY

At Rawhiti 1: New Brighton 26 (Walter Huata 2, Reuben Spicer, Stefan Moir tries; Scott Davidson 2 conv; Moir conv) beat Shirley 19 (Jud Robbins 2, Jayden Pearce tries; Nathan Smith 2 conv). HT: 14-7. Referee: Carl Johnson. Sin-bin: Alisi Tupuailei (New Brighton).

It was neither pretty nor easy, but New Brighton banked the maximum five points in this keenly fought eastern suburbs derby.

Had this match become an arm wrestle up front there was little doubt Shirley would have finished on top for it held a significant advantage in the scrums and had more lineout options than New Brighton which relied almost solely on its biggest timber, lock Lucas Hill.

However, away from the set pieces Brighton matched Shirley in the loose, forcing breakdown turnovers and defending the fringes with vigour. And once the ball was released to the backlines there was little question Brighton’s was the more penetrative.

Assisted by a wind that died in the second half, Brighton had its first try after 15min from a 5m lineout drive. While the forwards were unable to make the line, they committed Shirley numbers to the drive and when it popped back for halfback Reuben Spicer he spied nobody at home on the short side.

The scores were tied after 20min after Shirley No.8 Jud Robbins capitalised on his team’s scrum supremacy. The Shirley pack shunted its Brighton counterpart 7m back over the line and if referee Carl Johnson hadn’t spotted Robbins’ hands on the ball he may have awarded a penalty try.

Late in the first half, Brighton scored its second try which started from replacement flanker Ben Rush effecting a turnover at the breakdown near Shirley’s 22m. First-five Scott Davidson ran a nice angle at pace and second-five Walter Huata finished with a spectacular swan dive.

The seven-point half-time lead increased to 12 when Stefan Moir scored in the right corner after Davidson placed a lovely cross-kick to his fullback. Even so it could have been prevented for Shirley prop Tawhiri Wharehinga was on duty on the flank. It was big man versus little man with the aerial skills of the little man prevailing.

After 49min Brighton scored its bonus-point try with Huata scoring his second after a scything run. Ahead 26-7 the ball was in Brighton’s court, but Shirley did all the scoring in the last half hour, wing Jayden Pearce chasing a kick through by captain and flanker Phil Watson on the blindside and winning the race to score after 56min.

Then Robbins had his second try – and he could have had three but for dropping the ball over the line early in the second half – with a good show of strength as Shirley’s forwards repeatedly attacked in the red zone.

With 13min to play, Shirley had closed the gap to seven, but it stayed that way and Brighton did most of the attacking in the last stages with block-busting centre Alisi Tupuailei twice held up on the line.

Moir, first at fullback then at first-five, impressed with his attacking prowess and kicking for position. Huata caused problems for Shirley’s midfield defence with his uncompromising running and wings John Vili and Fili Waqainabete both made several incisive runs and may have scored with more self-belief.

Rush, apart from one handling lapse which led to Pearce’s try, did a fine job off the bench while Hill, No.8 Louis Harmon and hooker Feleti Kaitu’u ensured the battling Brighton pack did not capitulate.

Shirley’s tight five did a commendable job in set pieces and Robbins and Watson were competitive to the end. The backs mostly were well contained, although wing Elliot Scott made one dazzling run in the last quarter as Shirley sought a converted try for the draw.

Hawkins Medal (MVP): Stefan Moir (New Brighton) 3, Walter Huata (New Brighton) 2, Jud Robbins (Shirley) 1.

Bob Schumacher

No curtain-raiser was played.

BURNSIDE v HSOB

At Burnside 1: Burnside 25 (Alex Czajkowski, Owen Murphy, Mike Rasmussen, Phil Gibson tries; David Smith conv, pen) beat High School Old Boys 8 (Maifea Taiulu-Feso try; Harry Miller pen). HT: 15-8. Referee: Kane McBride.

High School Old Boys horror season continued while Burnside consolidated their top six spot with a bonus point win in diabolical conditions.

Burnside improved to 6 wins-3 losses for the season despite having a points differential of -64 which says a lot about their ability to churn out tight wins.

It didn’t start in rosy fashion however when Maifea Taiulu-Feso charged down a clearing Burnside kick after 7min before winning the race to the ball in the in-goal to give Old Boys the perfect start.

Burnside soon got into their groove however and was on the board 5min later when lock Alex Czajkowski barged over from close range after a strong lead up from the forwards.

David Smith converted before Harry Miller and Smith traded penalties which saw Burnside enjoy a 10-8 lead after 25min.

With half-time approaching, Burnside worked their way onto attack via a penalty and, after several strong surges, blindside flanker Owen Murphy found a gap and dived over from close range to give Burnside a seven-point lead going into oranges.

With conditions deteriorating further so did the game as neither side could assert their dominance for a large portion of the second half as the game was played almost exclusively between the two 22ms.

With 12min remaining, Burnside took full toll of a rare attacking opportunity in HSOB’s red zone when they spread the ball wide and some great hands saw wing Mike Rasmussen cross out wide.

Burnside crossed for their bonus-point try on the call of full-time when Phil Gibson stepped his way through a hole close to the posts.

Gibson was a standout from halfback for Burnside. He produced a number of dangerous sniping runs throughout a game that was bereft of line-breaks and it was well-deserved try he scored to complete Burnside’s win.

Murphy and Czajkowski were two strong performers in an even display by Burnside’s forwards. Czajkowski along with skipper Phil Henderson were solid at lineout time while Murphy was strong on defence and always had an eye for a gap in the HSOB defensive line.

Tactical kicking was an area where Burnside had a clear edge with David Smith kicking to space more often than not while HSOB’s playmakers, Jarred Percival and Mark Jackman, were guilty of finding touch directly on a few too many occasions to apply any sustained pressure on Burnside.

Hawkins Medal (MVP): Phil Gibson (Burnside) 3, Owen Murphy (Burnside) 2, Alex Czajkowski (Burnside) 1.

Anthony Morgan

Burnside used a fast start to notch a 25-18 win over Shirley in the division two curtain-raiser.

Burnside led 18-8 early in the second half before they held off a fast finishing Shirley in the latter stages of the match.

Burnside’s win kept them in touch with the top six while Shirley suffered their fifth loss in six outings to remain in the bottom three of the division two competition.

SUMNER v LINWOOD

At Linfield: Sumner 35 (Dylan Nel 2, Tu’uta Simalie, Poasa Waqanibau, Hayden O’Donnell tries; Nik Cumming 5 conv) beat Linwood 13 (Penese Iosefo, Penia Opelaia tries; Andrew McGrath pen). HT: 28-3. Referee: Blair Barclay.

A sorely depleted Linwood did well to outscore Sumner two tries to one in the second half of this bruising match.

Linwood’s entire first-string front row pulled out at late notice, reportedly through injury, and centre Louis Devery was also missing. To make matters worse the lock from Leicester, Joe Maksymiw, was off inside 5min after a head knock.

For the last 10min, proper scrums were out of the question as a mounting injury toll meant Linwood ran out of front-row options. Regardless, the infusion of generally unknown recruits seemed to make Linwood even hungrier for respectability.

Sumner started the match full of running, both back and forward. By half-time, they looked likely to run away with the match despite having to face the elements after the break.

Linwood had other ideas. No.6 Penese Iosefo scored from a driving lineout maul 6min into the half and an 11^th hour replacement on the right wing, Penia Opelaia, put the finishing touch on a sustained forward assault towards the end.

Sumner’s sole second-half try went to feisty halfback Hayden O’Donnell after a telling carry by substitute No. 8 Josh Loader.

The injection of Loader 10min into the second half meant that the outstanding Dylan Nel, who was given time off for excellent behaviour in rugged action, was not badly missed.

Nel was superb in his 50min on the park, controlling the ball expertly at the back of scrums to give Sumner a go-forward launching platform, soaring for lineout ball near the back, and carrying like a demon.

Nik Cumming was dangerous on the counter-attack from fullback in the first half, second-five Wes Mauafu also hit the ground running, and Marshall Suckling, on the left wing, made many metres through elusive running.

For Linwood, captain Tepasu Thomas gave it heaps before coming off near the end with an eye that looked like a split pomegranate. He had to be ordered off by support staff.

Lock Ben Wooding had a big game in the lineouts and around the field, No.7 Wes Harvey was into everything, and little halfback Kadin Te Nana was a livewire. Second-five Martin Solofua hurled himself at the Sumner defensive line with ball in hand and was just as dynamic in defence.

Hawkins Medal (MVP): Dylan Nel (Sumner) 3, Nik Cumming (Sumner) 2, Ben Wooding (Linwood) 1.

Jim Doyle

Linwood pipped Old Boys, 14-10, in an intriguing second-division curtain-raiser.

Old Boys, with old-stagers Kane Finnie and Vern Holden putting on their best steps, hammered away like mad in the dying stages but couldn’t crack the home side.

It was 7-7 at half-time and Linwood struck what turned out to be the killer punch when wing Akuilo Tavuto crossed in the corner after 65min. Keneti Alitimu landed an outstanding conversion across the breeze.

In the Linwood pack, hooker Sean Lyons, No.7 Calvin Cox, and 160kg prop Tulima Filau -- who went the distance -- were vital to the cause.

For Old Boys, No.8 Jack Miller, big lock Kane Patterson and versatile prop Mitch Daly -- like Linwood’s Filau an 80min performer -- gave it everything.

SYDENHAM v MARIST ALBION

At Edgar MacIntosh 1: Sydenham 60 (Morgan Innes 2, Josh Lindsay 2, Liam Smart, Matt James, Tana Manu, Ray Nu’u, Michael Green, Scott Kelly tries; Derek Stowers 4 conv; Kieran Lindsay conv) beat Marist Albion 12 (Matthew Morrison, Michael Gill tries; Hushdon Tohovaka conv). HT: 26-7. Referee: Sheldon Eden-Whaitiri.

With a superb display of ball movement, hard running and support play, with playmakers   right across the park, Sydenham clinically destroyed any ambitions Marist Albion may have harboured to tip up the competition leaders. 

Sydenham scored 10 tries to two (five by the forwards and five by the backs) as they literally ran the home team off its feet, choking the resistance out of it by half-time.

Marist Albion, kicking off into the wind and the rain, chased hard and secured the ball for hooker Matthew Morrison to dot down. Hushdon Tohovaka added the extras and the home team were 7-0 up in 2min.

Unfortunately, that was it for Marist Albion and the only time they severely tested the Cardinals’ composure in the match.

Sydenham quickly regrouped, putting the home line under siege. Misi Lamositele was pulled down inches short and Michael Green got over but superb Marist Albion defence prevented a grounding.  

Then, 16min in, captain Liam Smart, who was firing on turbo, got the ball 20m out and swatted the defence away to score. Derek Stowers converted to level it up.

A hurried Marist Albion clearing kick provided Sydenham with the opportunity to create a big build-up in the forwards. The Lamositele brothers, Smart and Jack Straker featured in a try to Morgan Innes converted by Stowers. This gave the visitors a lead they regularly built on until the finish.

Before the break Sydenham scored two more tries, the first to the visionary and skilful playmaker and distributor, Ray Nu’u, and the other to Matt James which Stowers converted.

Sydenham scored early in the second half with Innes bagging his brace, again converted by Stowers, before Marist Albion tested the visitors defence for 5min.

Prop Nathan Cassidy Richards, colts first-five Jonty Stuart, who had played the curtain-raiser, and their best player, Todd Struthers, challenged the Sydenham line in close and out wide before it cracked and Michael Gill crossed.

Sydenham subbed on Scott Kelly and the Lindsay brothers, Josh and Kieran, and the pace and intensity lifted.

In the final 25min, Sydenham rammed home five more tries, through the rampaging Kelly, Josh Lindsay (two), Tana Manu, and Michael Green, with a quality of rugby more suited to a dry, hard ground rather than a slippery bog in rainy freezing conditions. Kieran Lindsay converted one of his brother’s tries for the final tally of 60.

In a team performance, Sydenham players to shine were Nu’u, Stowers, Innes, Straker and Smart (until subbed) and Misi Lamositele. Moses Faletolu, in his 50^th game, was a consolidating presence in the midfield.

Marist Albion had quality players in Struthers, Gill, Cassidy-Richards and the promising Stuart.

Hawkins Medal (MVP): Ray Nu’u (Sydenham) 3, Morgan Innes (Sydenham) 2, Derek Stowers (Sydenham) 1.

Paddy Brandon

An exciting premier colts curtain-raiser between Marist Albion and New Brighton resulted in a 27-all draw when the home team levelled it 3min from the end with a converted try under the sticks.

A nine-try game of end-to-end action and endeavour created and maintained excitement with each play for the 80min.

The non-stop action tested the attacking and defensive abilities of both sides with prolonged periods of play deep in each other’s 22m.

Marist Albion had the better of the first quarter, scoring three unconverted tries. However, the visitors fought back and at the break it was 15-10.

With powerhouse prop Jim Tuipulotu hitting up hard, often running like a back, and with No.8 Armo Cowan supporting, a superb finish by wing Ali Prescott gave New Brighton a 27-20 lead with 3min to go.

Then the busy Marist Albion loosies, Luke Cody and Moeaki Toma, who had been conspicuous throughout, snatched a turnover and strong running fullback Sekove Dellaicautata did the business. Wing Charlie Grimes also stood out.

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY v BELFAST

At Sheldon 1: Lincoln University 43 (Rameka Poihipi 2, Josef Meek, Anty Burnett, George Stratton, Hugo Nankivell, Nick Lake tries; Finn Strawbridge 4 conv) beat Belfast 0. HT: 26-0. Referee: Daniel Moore.

In energy-sapping conditions, the all-round strength of Lincoln University was evident in the manner in which they dealt to Belfast in a unanswered seven-try stranglehold of the game.

Relentless pressure came from the visitors who dominated possession and territory and were always able to turn opportunities into points and punish the home side.

Despite the rain-soaked ground and squally overhead conditions, Lincoln University adopted a positive attitude and, after winning the battle up front, were always looking to bring their talented backs into play who rewarded them by scoring five of the seven tries. 

Early pressure brought the first try when Belfast failed to find touch with a defensive clearing kick and fullback Caleb Makene ran the ball back strongly for halfback Josef Meek to finish. Another defensive lapse saw the visitors sweep back on attack and flanker Anty Burnett was on hand following a strong drive to the line from a well worked lineout.

Makene was back in the play after 25min when he put his side on the front foot with another searching run. From the resulting contact the ball was moved wide for centre George Stratton to finish. Second-five Rameka Poihipi completed the first half scoring when he was on hand after the forwards had softened up the defence with a series of strong pick-and- go before releasing the ball to the backs.

Numerous personnel changes from the bench and deteriorating ground conditions produced many indistinguishable figures in the second half and it was a completely mud-splattered No.8 Hugo Nankivell who charged over after 50min. Wing Nick Lake finished an expansive backline movement soon after.

With full-time approaching, Poihipi brought up a double when he was on the end of another undeniable passing movement.

There was plenty of muscle and firepower up front for Lincoln University where locks Hamish Dalzell and Jonathan Osborne were to the fore. Burnett and Nankivell played significant roles in the loose with the later producing some punishing runs with his strong ball-carries.

Before the second-half changes, Meek and first- five Finn Strawbridge had combined well to move the ball to their outsides where Stratton and Lake were dominant on attack. Makene, when joining the line, exploited gaps in the defence.

The Belfast defence did not shirk in the number of tackles they were called upon but the relentless pressure was always going to be difficult to contain. The old firm of loose forwards Naibuka Tavenavo and Frank Havea stood up in the physical exchanges, but despite having some moments on attack and going close the home side came up empty-handed.

Hawkins Medal (MVP): Hugh Nankivell (LU) 3, George Stratton (LU) 2, Jonno Osborne (LU) 1.

Stewart Taylor

No curtain-raiser was played.

                                              Hawkins Leaderboards

Points:

84: Dan Dorgan (Chch)

82: Nik Cumming (Sumner)

74: Scott Davidson (New Brighton)

72: Brett Cameron (LU)

60: Seamus Bardoul (University)

56: Jarred Percival (HSOB)

53: Nathan Smith (Shirley)

50: Jarel Hemahema (Belfast)

48: Ruberawiri Peina (Burnside)

45: Kieran Lindsay (Sydenham), Nick Lake (LU)

41: Derek Stowers (Sydenham)

Tries:

9: Nick Lake (LU)

7: Dylan Nel (Sumner), Sireli Kacilala (Belfast), Josh McKay (LU)

6: Walter Huata (New Brighton), Liam Smart (Sydenham), Scott Kelly (Sydenham)

5: Simon Forrest (Chch), Will Jordan (Chch), Anty Burnett (LU), Fili Waqainabete (New Brighton), Phil Watson (Shirley), Amanaki Nicole (Sydenham), Brad Hemopo (University), James Tofa (University), Cam Watkins (University)

Medal (MVP):

14: Dylan Nel (Sumner)

8: Josh McKay (LU)

7: Ngane Punivai (LU), Nathan Smith (Shirley), Charlie O’Connell (Chch), Walter Huata (New Brighton)

6: Serili Kacilala (Belfast), Brad Hemopo (University), Scott Kelly (Sydenham)

5: Frank Havea (Belfast), Scott Davidson (New Brighton), Feleti Kaitu’u (New Brighton), Brett Cameron (LU), Ben Morris (LU), Mitch Cooke (Burnside), Leon Fukofuka (Belfast), Nik Cumming (Sumner), Ray Nu’u (Sydenham), Jonno Osborne (LU)