Selwyn_Times: July 19, 2023

Selwyn Times Wednesday July 19 2023
20
SPORT
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
Seasons on the line in semis
• By Jaime Cunningham
WAIHORA AND Southbridge
will have equal motivation to go
one better than last year in their
semi-final on Saturday.
The second and third-placed
sides will face off for a place in
the Coleman Shield final, while
unbeaten Prebbleton will host
shield-holders Darfield in the
other semi.
Waihora and Southbridge
failed to make the final last
season, losing to Prebbleton and
Darfield respectively in the semifinals.
But Prebbleton claimed top
spot last week with their second
win over Waihora in a 27-13 topof-the-table
clash.
Prebbleton ran out to a 14-0
lead early in the first half, with
Waihora playing catch-up for
much of the game. Although the
Magpies dominated possession
and territory for large periods,
they were unable to execute
when it mattered.
Waihora head coach Ross
Soper believes his team have
what it takes to make the final
after an agonising 28-27 defeat
to Prebbleton in last year’s semifinal.
“We would have preferred
to finish at the top, but we’re
just grateful we’re in the finals.
Prebbleton can beat us a couple
times throughout the season but
hopefully we can meet them in
the final for another shot.”
Waihora have the opportunity
to play their last three games at
Rhodes Park, with the club hosting
the Ellesmere finals day next
weekend.
But it will be a big task to beat
in-form Southbridge who have
compiled a mammoth 255 points
in their last five games.
Said Soper: “A big focus is limiting
Southbridge this week.
“Defence is all attitude. It’s
just about making sure we are
switched on and execute. If
there’s no performance this
week, there’s none next week.”
Darfield snuck into the playoffs
in spite of their 67-35 loss to
Southbridge at the weekend,
largely due to Lincoln-Rolleston’s
surprise 22-12 win over West
Melton.
BURST:
Waihora
centre Will
Prentice eyes
up Prebbleton
centre Tevita
Manukeu.
PHOTOS:
SMR EVENT
PHOTOGRAPHY
Left – Waihora
No 8 Ryan
Koning
off-loads in
the tackle.
Hornby beat Springston 25-24
to get their second win in four
years at the weekend, the first of
which also came this season.
Hornby’s Hereturikoka
Knowles slotted a last second
penalty to finish their season on
a high.
It is also semi-finals time for
divisions 2, 3 and the colts grade
on Saturday.
There could be a repeat of
the combined colts final next
weekend, with Lincoln Bales
and Prebbleton both hosting
Ellesmere semi-finals. Lincoln
came back from a 7-5 halftime
deficit to narrowly beat
pace-setters Prebbleton 22-21
and win the combined title on
Saturday. In the Ellesmere colts
competition, Prebbleton host
Darfield in the first semi-final,
while the Lincoln Bales and
Lincoln Stags clash at Lincoln
Domain.
Semi-finals (Saturday)
•Division 1, 2.45pm
Waihora v Southbridge,
Rhodes Park.
Prebbleton v Darfield,
Prebbleton Domain.
•Division 2, 1pm
Prebbleton v BDI, Prebbleton
Domain.
Waihora v Springston, Rhodes
Park.
•Division 3, 1pm
Prebbleton v Kirwee,
Prebbleton Domain.
West Melton v Leeston,
West Melton Domain.
•Colts, 1pm
Lincoln Bales v Lincoln
Stags, Lincoln Domain.
Prebbleton v Darfield,
Prebbleton Domain.
Selwyn in contention
for plate playoff spot
• By Jaime Cunningham
SELWYN SCHOOLS have
shaken up the Miles Toyota
Premiership playoffs with a 41-27
upset win over St Bede’s College
on Saturday.
Selwyn are in ninth place and
out of semi-final contention
but can qualify for the plate
playoffs if they beat Timaru
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Boys’ High on Saturday. Selwyn’s
surprise victory means St Bede’s
(20 points), St Andrew’s (20),
Marlborough Boys’ College (19)
and Christ’s College (18) are all
fighting for the last semi-final
berth.
The combined team play
their final round robin match
at Timaru Boys’ High at noon
on Saturday. Timaru are in 10th
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spot behind Selwyn and have
won just one match this season.
Selwyn would record back-toback
wins for the first time this
season if they beat Timaru.
A bonus-point win would see
them leapfrog eighth-placed
Shirley Boys’ High and qualify
for the plate semi-final, as long as
St Bede’s beat SBHS on Saturday.
The win over St Bede’s was
Selwyn’s first since they shocked
St Andrew’s College with a 31-24
victory on May 13.
Last year, Selwyn
finished 10th after they
lost the bowl final 42-14 to
Christ’s College. Nelson College,
Christchurch Boys’ High and
St Thomas of Canterbury have
already qualified for the semifinals.
CHARGE:
Selwyn Schools
first-five Roman
Keno fends
off a St Bede’s
defender.
PHOTO:
GRAEME
TILTMAN
Points:
Nelson College 39,
Christchurch Boys’ High
School 36, St Thomas of
Canterbury College 30, St
Bede’s College 20, St Andrew’s
College 20, Marlborough Boys’
College 19, Christ’s College 18,
Shirley Boys’ High School 12,
Selwyn Schools 12, Timaru
Boys’ High School 6.
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