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SPORTS<br />
32 <strong>North</strong> <strong>Canterbury</strong> <strong>News</strong>, <strong>July</strong> <strong>23</strong>, <strong>2020</strong><br />
Eyes of Saracens firmly on asemi-finals spot<br />
By LINDSAY KERR and<br />
PETER WILLIAMS<br />
RUGBY<br />
Saracenskept asemifinalberth<br />
wellinits sights after asolid<br />
2510 victory over Hurunui in the<br />
latest round of <strong>North</strong> <strong>Canterbury</strong><br />
rugby lastSaturday.<br />
Saracens’ firsthalf effort was<br />
out of the top drawer as theside<br />
raced to a170lead after35<br />
minutes. Its forwards and backs<br />
combined effectively, with<br />
loosiesBrett Hancoxand Willie<br />
Kerrgaining control at the<br />
breakdowntoset up attacking<br />
platforms.<br />
Livewire winger Nikora Jarvis<br />
scored the first try whenhe<br />
danced aroundhis opponents.<br />
Skipper Josh Maynard scoredthe<br />
second, while RickyAllin kicked<br />
the goals.<br />
Hurunui attacked in the<br />
closing moments of the half and<br />
could be considered unluckynot<br />
to have scored. Its half was also<br />
not helpedbyasecondserious<br />
injury in as manyweeks. Jonno<br />
Schwass was stretchered offwith<br />
aruptured kneeligament.<br />
Hurunui played with more<br />
purpose in the secondhalf,<br />
scoring two unanswered tries<br />
before Saracens completed its<br />
day withaclassysolo try down<br />
the left flank by substitute winger<br />
Grant Broderson.<br />
In addition to Hancox and<br />
Kerr, halfbackOllie Ashby was a<br />
standout performerfor Saracens<br />
and RickyAllin’skickingwas<br />
decisive.<br />
No. 8Willie Jameson and lock<br />
WillPorritt stood out in the<br />
Hurunui pack.<br />
Scoreboard:Saracens 25<br />
(Nikora Jarvis, Josh Maynard,<br />
Grant Broderson, tries; Ricky<br />
Allin, 2conversions and 2<br />
penalties),Hurunui 10 (Willie<br />
Jamesonand Tom Crean tries).<br />
Classy performance<br />
Though GlenmarkCheviot had<br />
been unbeaten going into the topofthetable<br />
clash with Kaiapoi at<br />
Omihi last Saturday, its form in<br />
this season’s Luisetti Seeds<br />
competitionhad been far from<br />
convincing.<br />
Aseries of narrow wins had<br />
preceded the previous week’s<br />
shock drawagainst alowly<br />
rankedOhoka side.<br />
Butthey made no race of it<br />
against Kaiapoi, turning on a<br />
masterclassofhow to playwetweather<br />
rugby and running out<br />
thedeserved winnersby270.<br />
Thematch was refereed by<br />
<strong>Canterbury</strong>’s top whistleblower,<br />
James Munro.<br />
Acommitted forward pack<br />
dominated the battle for<br />
possession,especially at lineout<br />
time, and the skilled inside back<br />
combination of Jordy Grayand<br />
Brook Retallick directed play<br />
expertlyand kept thelocalteam<br />
on attackfor virtually the whole<br />
match.<br />
Consequently,most penalties<br />
concededbyKaiapoi endedup<br />
with ashot at goal, and the<br />
unerringboot of Retallick<br />
converted them into points.<br />
He endedwith apersonalhaul<br />
Valuable points ... Josh Maynard scores for Saracens in his side’s match against Hurunui at Southbrook<br />
Park.<br />
PHOTO: LEONIE HANCOX<br />
of 17 points from five penalty<br />
goals and aconversion.<br />
Although it is arguably unfair<br />
to single out individuals in what<br />
was certainly aconcerted effort<br />
by the GlenmarkCheviot<br />
forwards,Angus Foster,Jacob<br />
Vincent and Ben Anderson all<br />
playedblinders. The backs also<br />
took their opportunities, with<br />
Mike Keane and Corrigan<br />
Harnett each finishing off wellconstructed<br />
tries.<br />
Another feature was the<br />
performanceoflocalCheviot lad<br />
Matthew Cooper at centre.He<br />
rose to the occasioninwhat was<br />
his first starting role for the team.<br />
Kaiapoi, on the other hand,<br />
simplynever fired ashot.<br />
While the heavy,slippery<br />
conditions certainly neversuited<br />
Kaiapoi’s preferred styleofplay,<br />
the sideatno stagelooked like<br />
troublingthe scoreboard<br />
attendant.<br />
The match started withamist<br />
lying low over the eastern hills<br />
and by the end of thematch it had<br />
completely engulfed the ground,<br />
matchingthe sombre spirit in the<br />
Kaiapoi dressing shed, in direct<br />
contrasttothe mood of local<br />
supporters in the packed<br />
clubrooms.They were joyfully<br />
celebratingthe retention of their<br />
beloved Deans Shield.<br />
Comeback victory<br />
Oxford trailed 014 earlyonin<br />
its gameagainstAshley before<br />
gainingany momentum and<br />
goingontowin 2926.<br />
Continued Page 33
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