Hi Everyone,

I managed to watch a number of games over the weekend with the highlight being the Otago Boys HS 1st XV win over Southland Boys HS in the Highlanders Schools Final.

Secondary Schoolgirls: Last Wednesday was the final of the secondary schoolgirls competition between St Hildas Collegiate and Otago Girls High School. This was very similar to last year’s final where the two teams were the same but the outcome reversed. The score was close right throughout the game with both teams giving their all. There were contrasting styles of play with OGHS using their big forwards to take the ball up while St Hildas endeavoured to spread the ball and use the speed on the outsides. This proved to be the winning of the game as St Hildas pulled away towards the end of the game to win by 37-31. Great to see a large crowd at Logan Park to witness two quality teams in action.

Otago v Hawkes Bay: In our first home game of the Mitre 10 Cup season, the Otago team went down to Hawkes Bay by 31-25, a disappointing result particularly considering it was at the Forsyth Barr Stadium. I have been to a number of trainings this season and have seen some good signs in terms of team spirit and coaching expertise so I am sure the team will continue to improve. This week the team heads to Palmerston North to play Manawatu in what will be another important game – we wish the boys well.

Saturday Rugby: The 1st XV match on Littlebourne between the old rivals Southland BHS and Otago BHS was a great game of rugby. OBHS lead 5-0 at half time after holding SBHS out in the last five minutes of the half with some outstanding defence. In the second half the OBHS backs cut loose to score three wonderful converted tries to put the game beyond reach. To Southlands credit they came back in the dying stages of the game to score a converted try to make the final score 26-7. There was a great atmosphere at the ground with the game being played in an excellent spirit. OBHS will now head to Christchurch this weekend to play CBHS to decide the Southern Region winners who will contest the Top 4.

While I only saw the final 20 minutes of the Otago B v Otago Country match at University Oval, this game proved to be a close affair. Otago B led 24-0 at half-time but to Otago Country’s credit they fought back well and dominated the second half to go down by 24-14.

In the Southern Regions Secondary Schoolgirls final at Bishopscourt, Southland GHS were too strong for Christchurch GHS winning by 39-0. They certainly threw everything into the game and dominated all facets with some outstanding individuals on display. This is the seventh consecutive year Southland GHS have competed in the Top 4.

Otago Under 19 v Tasman: On Sunday in beautiful weather at the University Oval, Tasman Under 19 defeated the Otago team by 23-18. Tasman opened the scoring and never relinquished the lead even though Otago fought back well in the latter stages of the game. Too many unforced errors were costly for Otago and they will now play off in the bottom eight of the National Under 19 Competition.

I am heading down to Clinton this Friday night to attend the Southern Region end of season prize giving along with Paul Galland, the Player Development Manager for the ORFU, who is the guest speaker.

Des Smith MNZM

President

Article added: Tuesday 28 August 2018