Lincoln University hunt the double
‘‘Now for the trophy.’’
Perhaps the Lincoln University students used more earthy vernacular as they drained some celebratory drinks on Saturday night, but there can be no doubting what their goals for the back half of this season will be.
Having won the Hawkins Cup for a third successive year by beating New Brighton in the final round of the Christchurch division one metro competition, Lincoln will now try and win the Hawkins Trophy – something they have been unable to do in past years.
Lincoln were deserved winners of the cup which joins the DCL Shield and Kevin Lundon Trophy in their goody bag. They didn’t lose a game, posting 10 wins and a draw and will meet New Brighton, University, Marist Albion, Sydenham and Christchurch in the trophy competition.
HSOB will not get a chance to defend their trophy title after losing 48-41 to University, their sixth cup loss of the season.
Lincoln 26 New Brighton 15
New Brighton, needing to score a bonus-point victory and keep the students outside the seven-point margin, meant business as soon as they clocked-on. They deserved to lead 12-9 at halftime with tries to Mitchell Ellis and Scott Davidson.
The real action took place in the final minutes.
Lincoln were repeatedly penalised as they muscled-up on defence and Jack Stratton and Jack Powell were sin binned. Somehow, however, Lincoln managed to repulse the attacks, turned the ball over and a late penalty by Caleb Makene secured the result.
University 48 HSOB 41
Twelve tries in 80 minutes; no-one can say they didn’t see plenty of action at Bob Deans 1.
Maybe the diehards kicked lumps out of the paddock and said defence wins matches – and they are probably right – but this wasn’t one of those games.
Crusaders wing Jone Macilai grabbed a try and Nigel Gibb, who transferred from the midfield to wing in the second spell, had a busy all-round game for University. Firstfive Stephan van Gruting kicked seven goals and lock Caleb Aparahama was a secure option in the lineouts.
Old Boys will lament their poor ball maintenance. The Prinsep boys, Reed and Blair, got stuck into the work up front.
Burnside 38 Christchurch 27
This upset victory was the perfect way to mark fullback Mike Davis’ 150th match for Burnside.
Burnside, on their home track, looked in strife when they trailed 20-10 before halftime but when Christchurch’s prop Jack Burmester got yellow carded they raced in three converted tries.
Burnside flanker Peter Samu had a pearler of a game, his ball running earning plenty of metres on his odometer. Halfback Phil Gibson put in a tidy effort for the victors, while Christchurch’s wing Sake Aca bagged three tries.
Sumner 34 Shirley 17
This marked the end of Sumer’s sixgame losing streak. Their halfback Ben Corston isn’t the biggest of units but he’s got plenty of rugby smarts and put them to good use as he guided his side around.
Sumner flanker Anton Petrowitsch thrives on work and got his body positioning right when robbing breakdowns. Shirley struggled with 14 men when Mark Drabble was yellow carded for a professional foul and by the time he returned to the field his boys were behind by 26 points.
Sydenham 66 Belfast 7
Ten tries to Sydenham and the sight of Brendon Nolan pleasing the home supporters in his 50th outing. If you were a Sydenham supporter there was plenty to shout about in this one. Co-coach Nolan arrived at firstfive as a substitute, scored a try and kicked three conversions.
It was another tough day for Belfast, not made any easier by losing two players with yellow cards. Matt James and Josh Lindsay shone for Shirley.
Marist Albion 69 Linwood 7
Bursting out of the blocks, Marist Albion effectively had this won by haltime when they led 36-7.
Crusaders halfback Billy Guyton was all enthusiasm and energy and fullback Chris Crichton scored four tries. It’s always tough going backwards and Linwood couldn’t buy a trick. Halfback Jinho Mun did well to stay composed behind a struggling pack.