RUGBY RESULTS
Proudly sponsored by:
Reid & Harrison, Health 2000 Matamata and Waikato Stud
Matamata Directional Drilling Ltd, Kaimai Steel & Agright GP Ltd
Joyland Contracting, Lowe Construction & Aiken Transport
UMS Bs 24 Leamington 13
UMS hosted a weekend of finals on Saturday and the first of these was the local B side against Leamington. The visitors had been a thorn in the UMS side all year so the resulting win in the final to the local side was an excellent way to round off the season.
Played in soft conditions both teams attempted to run the ball at every opportunity and in the first half it was Leamington who looked to be having the best of the game. Their forwards were powering into rucks and mauls and they were also able to claim the odd UMS lineout. Eventually, the local boys got into their work with tries to Jamie McIntyre, Cole Tuhakaraina, Henry Foy and Amanasi Mataitoga with Simon Lawson converting two of these for a very good 24 to 13 win.
Halfback Shanan Mowatt belies his age and turned in a really good shift delivering good ball and also choosing his options sensibly. His service to Raymond Tuhakaraina allowed him to dictate the attack and the mid-field of Jamie McIntyre and Henry Foy both attacked and defended well. Fullback Brendon McCullum showed touches of class and seems to be able to use minimal space near the sideline to great effect.
The forwards were ably lead by skipper Michael Peters and he received great support from props Rewiti Vaimoso and Kerry Meerkerk.
Lifting the trophy at the end of the match was just reward for a team that has stuck together all season
UMS As 8 University 12
Played on bleak wet day on a very muddy track this final never really got off the starter blocks. The conditions were such that each team was forced into pick and go options just to breach the advantage line.
Varsity was able to kick four penalties in the first half with two of these being excellent long-range efforts and that was enough for them to hold on for what could only be described as a deserved win. They had some definite personnel changes from the corresponding game a few weeks ago.
UMS had one shot at goal in the first forty minutes and Keiran Holdsworth's effort sailed under the bar as he slipped on his approach. Leading 12 nil at the break the visitors looked simply to defend knowing that even with a strong wind at their back the UMS backline was going to find moving the ball wide a difficult proposition. Repeated attacks did see the local side dominate territory and Prop Tevita Latu was able to crash over and score but it was near the touchline and the conversion attempt was short. Logan Allen was subbed on with twenty to go and promptly kicked a good penalty giving local supporters hope of a last gasp win but the ref decided that his watch was different to the scoreboard clock and he had the final say calling time when UMS were hot on attack.
UMS can look back on a very successful season and while 2021 may not have finished with the result they were after the club committee, team management and players can look back on the year with a real sense of pride and achievement.
