Selwyn Times: September 04, 2019

SELWYN TIMES Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Wednesday September 4 2019 21
Slow start cost Ellesmere
the McGiffert Trophy
• By Jacob Page
A SLUGGISH start cost the
Ellesmere under-18s in their 35-
24 defeat to North Canterbury
at Oxford on Saturday.
Ellesmere trailed 28-0 at
half-time before mounting a
comeback to be four points
down with 10min to play. But
North Canterbury scored a
final try to put the game out of
reach and lift
the McGiffert
Trophy.
Co-coach
Mike Wilson
said his team
were their
own worst
enemy in the
Mike Wilson
first half.
“We just leaked too
many points. We had a few
opportunities but it took us a
long time to get into the game.
“We lacked a little bit of
penetration and punch
and tried to go wide too
quickly.
“North Canterbury were
more effective and a lot of their
points came from turnover ball
and they showed good support
play to make us pay.
“We had dropped balls and
missed passes, a lot of little
things.
“The start highlighted the
fact we’d only had a week with
WATCHFUL: Ellesmere under-18 defender Connor O’Neill
waits for the right moment to make a tackle.
PHOTO: ANGELA JONES PHOTOGRAPHY
them and it’s hard to form those
combinations and trust in
that time.”
Wilson said he was thrilled
with the character the team
showed to get back into the
game in the second half.
“We constructed points well,
there was more penetration,
there was more accuracy and
patience to go with it.
“We had some boys come on
and do some good things. Liam
Pratt came on at prop and gave
us some good carries.
“Brandon Boyle came on and
was really physical and gave us
what we knew he would with
ball in hand so that was good
to see.
“For the guys to make a game
of it like they did late in the
piece was a really good sign for
the group.”
LEAP: Georgia
Allison is
preparing
to compete
at events in
Morocco and
Australia.
Darfield High show-jumper
off to Morocco and Sydney
• By Jacob Page
IT PROMISES to be a busy
couple of weeks for Darfield High
School show-jumper Georgia
Allison.
The 18-year-old will fly out to
Morocco at the end of the week
for the Global Amateur Tour
where she will ride local
horses and try to clear
1.20m jumps.
Georgia (right) will then
represent New Zealand
at the Marcus Oldham
Australian inter-school
championships in Sydney.
The event at the Sydney
International Equestrian Centre
runs from September 29 to
October 2.
Allison, who lives in Oxford,
will be part of an eight-strong
all women’s team to compete in
the dressage and show-jumping.
However, she will compete solely
in the show-jumping.
Allison said show-jumping has
always been part of her life.
“I’ve been riding since I was
born it feels like – I did my first
competition when I was two.
“International opportunities
are what I’ve been working
towards for a while and I’ve been
short-listed for things but to get
these opportunities is exciting.
“It will be good to test
myself against international
competitors.”
Allison is a selfdescribed
perfectionist.
“I think I’m mildly
OCD, everything has to
be perfect, but I think
that’s why I did a lot of
show-hunting to win
in that grade. In showjumping
you go against the clock
and as long as you jump well
that’s what matters.
“I’m hoping for clear rounds
at both competitions, given I
don’t know the horses I’ll be
riding.
“In Sydney we’ll only be
jumping 1.05m, which will be
different to Morocco, but if I
can be consistent then I’ll be
happy.”
All welcome
Come play
it's free
RACQUETS SUPPLIED. BBQ.
PRIZES. GIVEAWAYS.
Tennis clubs across Selwyn are opening their
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• Hornby Tennis Club
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• Prebbleton Tennis Club
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• Southbridge Tennis Club
• Tai Tapu Tennis Club
Find a club near you!
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Sat 7 & Sun 8 Sept 1-4pm
Times may vary by club.
Please check website for details.
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