Rugby: Old Boys continue momentum since final

Will Johnston

Photo: New Plymouth Old Boys' Brayton Northcott-Hill scored 17 points in the opening weekend of premier rugby. Photo by: LDV Photography.

Defending champions New Plymouth Old Boys started the CMK premier club rugby competition where they finished last season.

Old Boys’ physicality in the second half was a key part in their 27-3 win over Stratford-Eltham at Victoria Park.

The match was expected to be hotly contested given it was the repeat of last year’s thrilling extra-time final. To add to the occasion, Old Boys had lost several players since providing the leveller but boasted a strong forward pack. Stratford-Eltham retained all their players and had impressive results in the pre-season.  

In breezy and damp conditions on a redeveloped field, that held up well from overnight rain, the scores were locked up at 3-all. Old Boys’ captain Brayton Northcott-Hill and Stratford-Eltham’s Rocky Olsen kicked a penalty each. Northcott-Hill went onto score 17 points with a try and 12 points off the tee.

It was a contrast to the second half where Old Boys ran in three tries and spoilt any ball Stratford-Eltham had, especially close to their line.

Old Boys had the edge at set piece with a powerful scrum but Stratford-Eltham did hold its own as the match went on. Stratford-Eltham coach Ross Williams was building his depth early in the season with nine debutants playing.

Coastal’s first half propelled them to a 30-14 win against Tukapa on old timers’ day at Sanders Park.

The conditions suited Coastal after they were ahead 15-0 at the break and used their forwards to get quick ball out wide. They eventually scored four tries to two.

Tukapa scored an attractive try by new midfielder Waata Wharawhara from Matamata. Fullback Reegan Aarsen kicked the ball infield as he was running out of room down his touchline. It bounced into the in goal where Wharawhara was in the perfect position to dot down.

Chiefs U20 representative Hone Mathieson impressed at fullback for Coastal.

Southern beat Clifton 19-5 in difficult conditions at the Tikorangi Sports Ground.

Southern led 7-0 at the break with a try to winger Benny Katene in the corner.  

Loose forward Connor White replied for Clifton off the back of a maul to narrow the margin.

Desperate for game time with the Blues, Meihana Grindlay came off the bench and scored a 70meter runaway try to extend Southern’s lead.

Daniel Hornby scored on the stroke of fulltime, ending a clinical performance by Southern.

Clifton has lost a number of players including Liam Blyde, Matty McKenzie (both to Australia) and Reece Gray (UK).

In the remaining match, Spotswood United couldn’t quite do enough in the second half against Inglewood losing 21-14 at Yarrow Stadium.

Inglewood got out to 21-0 led but the home team came back with a try to Scottish-born first-five eighth Stewart Black.

That increased Spotswood United’s confidence levels, but their last converted try was scored with only three minutes remaining to Fenni Sofeni. Inglewood then held onto the ball after the conversion to seal the victory.

Points after the first round are Coastal 5, Old Boys 4, Southern 4, Inglewood 4, Spotswood United 1, Clifton 0, Tukapa 0, Stratford-Eltham 0.