In a thrilling weekend of rugby league, West Coast etched their names in history by clinching their inaugural South Island 18s Boys title. 

West Coast faced off against hosts Otago in a tightly contested battle on day one, resulting in a narrow 10-6 win for the Coasters. Both teams showcased their prowess with convincing victories over Southland, setting the stage for a dramatic finale on day two.

West Coast continued their dominance on the second day, securing another crucial win against a resilient Southland side. With one eye on the title, West Coast was on the brink of glory, only to be thwarted by a last-minute sideline conversion by Kairus Booth, giving Otago a slim 12-10 victory in their encounter.

As the tournament's final day dawned, Otago found themselves in a position where they needed a decisive victory against Southland to come out on top. Southland were up for the challenge however, and despite Otago's commendable efforts, their 20-6 win saw them fall just short of the necessary margin required to surpass West Coast on the competition points table.

It was great to have Tony Iro and Athens Henare from the NZ Warriors present at the tournament, who were impressed with the quality of football on display. As always, the support from the Warriors is greatly appreciated. 

A huge thank you to all of the players, volunteers, staff, and supporters who made this tournament a success. Keep an eye out for the Scorpions 18s Boys squad naming which will be announced later in the week. 

Congratulations to those who reveived awards: 

Simon Mannering Trophy: West Coast 

Tournament MVP - Antonio Verhoeven (West Coast)

Coach of the Tournament - Paul Gibson (West Coast) 

Trainer of the Tournament - Jason Clarke (Otago)

Manager of the Tournament - Brad Tacon (West Coast) 

Referee of the Tournament - Reon Hatata (Aoraki)

Good Person Good Player Team of the Tournament - Otago 

Article added: Monday 15 July 2024