University takes down Green Island

University 44

Green Island 26

University took the defending champions Green Island down a notch with a 44-26 win at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Thursday night.

Green Island rallied but they made a terrible start.

The students stole a 17-0 march.

Highlanders first five Taine Robinson knocked over a penalty in the opening minute.

Hooker Ricky Jackson crashed over from a lineout drive moments later and eight minutes into the game prop Steve Salelea rumbled over.

Green Island fullback Sam Nemec-Vial provided a spark when he burst through from close to the ruck to score.

But University were at the reins and Robinson swatted away a feeble tackle to score close to the posts.

They rounded out a wonderful first 40 minutes when second five Brigham Riwai-Couch bumping off some ineffectual tackles to post another try.

University fullback Rico Muliaina scooped up a loose pass and ran 60m to score early in the second half and essentially seal off an escape route for Green Island.

Robinson, who saved a certain try with an ankle tap on the flying Michael Manson, controlled play nicely and posted 24 points.

Jackson was industrious and flopped over for a five-pointer.

Heath MacEwan carried well for Green Island and Nemec-Vial was dangerous in open play. — Adrian Seconi

Dunedin 59

Alhambra-Union 5

Alhambra-Union started the game with a stiff northerly at their backs and tried to get field position early. But Dunedin held on to the ball for numerous phases and eventually the cracks appeared. Midfielder Joe Cooke beat a couple of tackles and passed to first five Thorn Parkes, who strolled over.

Alhambra-Union controlled territory for the next 15 minutes, but couldn’t get across the chalk through some serious Dunedin defence and handling errors. That was to be the story of the game. Dunedin broke from one of those turnovers and big lock Curtis Palmer took the last pass to give them a 12-point lead after 20 minutes.

Alhambra-Union tried as they might to put points up but they could not crack the Sharks. Late in the half Reuben Palmer stole an Alhambra-Union lineout close to their line and No 8 Hame Toma crashed to give them a 19-point lead at halftime.

With the wind in the second spell the Sharks were just too strong, dominating scrum and lineout, getting offload game going and running in another six tries to nearly hit 60.

The only highlight for Alhambra-Union was a try to flanker Zac Perrett, after they finally held on to the ball in the opposition’s 22 after 15 minutes of the spell.

But the big Dunedin pack dominated the game and allowed the Sharks to score some scintillating tries, with the ball moving through lots of hands.

Flanker Max Ratcliffe was probably their best with his continuity game, some classy offloads, strong defence and menacing presence at the breakdown. Hooker Fatai Koloi was not far behind with his blockbusting carries. Big Reuben Palmer was an intimidating presence across the park. Joe Parkinson and Kyan Rangitutia were dangerous out wide.

For Alhambra-Union prop Petelo Amato never gave up and carried the ball like an automaton and was still trucking it forward in the 80th minute. Midfielder Manueli Rauqueque was strong on defence and also carried the ball strongly. — Paul Dwyer

Southern 55

Zingari-Richmond 33

Tackling was optional in the late game at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

But there were some wonderful tries scored from set play from both sides.

Southern ultimately had too much class for Zingari-Richmond.

Green Island wing Michael Manson is sandwiched by University defenders Finlay Hagen (left) and Brigham Riwai-Couch during their premier club rugby match at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Thursday night. Photo: Gerard O'Brien

They had led 29-19 at halftime.

But the Colours struck first through a try to winger Ben Fakava and closed the margin to just three points.

Southern first five Wyndham Patuawa took over.

He scored two tries in the final quarter of the game.

His tactical kicking game has come a long way and he has quick feet and an eye for a gap. He was a standout performer.

Mackenzie Palmer threw a cracking skip pass which led to a try. There is never a game in which he does not do something special.

Hardworking lock combination Corban Agar and Aron Einarsson put in another typically gutsy shift.

Loosie Harry Taylor was everywhere all at once yet again, and halfback Wilson Driver tackled like a man twice his size as usual.

For Zingari-Richmond, first five Tyree Manaia impressed and prop Hame Lauaki got himself noticed.

The Colours looked dangerous from set play but were unable to stick with Southern in the final stretch. — Adrian Seconi

Harbour 15

Taieri 13

In one of the great escapes Harbour first five-eighth Rique Miln landed five penalty goals to assist his side to a 15-13 victory over Taieri at Peter Johnstone Park on Thursday night.

As the final seconds counted down Taieri were awarded a handy penalty and a chance to steal victory in the last play of the game. But as Alex Honey’s kick sailed towards the posts it cruelly veered to the right of the posts as if flicked by a hand of fate.

It took the Eels 15min before it was able to break out of its own half and against the run of play Sam Waitoa gave the home side an early lead through a handy penalty.

Harbour at times suffered with error and it was not until the 30th minute Miln landed his first penalty to level the scores. This only ignited the Taieri pack, as it out-muscled Harbour at a maul for hooker Morgan Jones to score for an 8-3 lead.

Jones was one of the standouts in the Taieri pack and his lineout throws left nothing to doubt. While Harbour struggled with bobbling ball from its feeds.

Miln converted penalty goals either side of the break and a fourth at the three-quarter stage handing Harbour a 4 point buffer.

With both packs seemingly equal to task, the game became heated at times. Not until the final five minutes did the game begin to open up. Taieri centre Josh Whaanga broke the game wide open with his telling line breaks, and scored a try to hand Taieri back the lead at 13-12.

Harbour burst back on to attack from the restart, but were unable to penetrate the Taieri defence. Miln landed a fifth penalty goal with just two minutes remaining, handing Harbour back the lead. — Wayne Parsons

Round 4

The scores

University 44 (Ricky Jackson, Steve Salelea, Taine Robinson, Brigham Riwai-Couch, Rico Muliaina tries; Robinson 5 con, 3 pen), Green Island 26 (Michael Manson 2, Sam Nemec-Vial, Heath MacEwan tries; Liam Barron 3 con). Halftime: 31-5.

Southern 55 (Wyndham Patuawa 2, Tafa Tafa, Mackenzie Palmer, Corban Agar, Bede Dodd-Edgar, Dylan Petaia, Israel Otunuku, Paul Tupa’i tries; Patuawa 5 con), Zingari-Richmond 33 (Ben Fakava 2, Bill Temaka, Ratunui Latus tries; Penalty try,Tyree Manaia 3 con). Halftime: 29-19.

Harbour 15 (Rique Milne 5 pen), Taieri 13 (Morgan Jones, Josh Whaanga tries; Sam Waitoa pen). Halftime: 8-6 Taieri.

Dunedin 59 (Thorn Parkes, Curtis Palmer, Hame Toma, Reuben Palmer, Fatai Koloi, Max Ratcliffe, Henry Scott, Joe Cooke, Oscar Schmidt Uli tries. Thorn Parkes 7 con). Alhambra-Union 5 (Zac Perrett try). Halftime: 19-0.

Standings