27/05/2025
GAME OF THE WEEK RECAP | South Westland v Grey Valley-Reefton
Grey Valley-Reefton win nail biter
Via - Bill Phillips at Greymouth Star
Grey Valley-Reefton held on to beat South Westland on their home turf in Hari Hari on Saturday, as both teams looked to cement semi-final spots in the West Coast-Buller combined club rugby competition for the Jubilee Trophy.
Played in perfect conditions, Grey Valley-Reefton (GVR) led at half-time in a close game and withstood a staunch South Westland comeback in the second half to secure the win 26-21, their first back-to-back victories of the season.
The game was only minutes old and GVR were hot on attack through great backline passing. The maul formed and over popped the halfback B Ferguson for a well taken try. Thor Manawatu added a close-range conversion to take the early lead 7-0.
Almost immediately, South Westland hit back with the same medicine, this time via No 8 Josh Coleman. The forwards won a few mauls in a row that led to the touchdown. Fullback Ethan Lash added the close conversion to level the scores at 7-7.
Manawatu with a penalty from right in front put the visitors three points, 10-7.
Jeremiah Lesoa the GVR winger put the gas on as he sped to the corner post to score. This came after a good backline movement which saw Lesoa with some room to move. GVR were now out to 15-7.
Manawatu again featured early in the second half, showing his skill level by nailing a drop goal just outside the 22, taking GVR further ahead 18-7; a penalty kick by Ferguson extended that to 21-7.
This looked like the end for the hosts, but soon South Westland halfback Jack Clancy dived over for a try, easily converted by Ethan Lash to close the gap slightly to 21-14.
GVR centre Douglas Talavou must have thought his time had come with a goal line intercept that had him scoring under the home team's posts, only to be called back by referee Colin Van Der Geest for an infringement.
South Westland halfback Jack Clancy dived over from broken play to get close to GVR on the scoreboard, and Lash with a lovely conversion from wide out bought plenty of support from the local crowd, with the scores now tied up 21-21.
GVR scored almost immediately from the restart through prop Mitch Daly. The conversion missed and GVR went out to 26-21, the final score. The combined team was pretty happy as members celebrated two wins in a row.
Standouts for South Westland were Andrew MacRae and Adam Friend.
Captain Friend took the ball up all day in a solid display. The back three, along with Lomitusi Naseri, were full of running with the ball.
For GVR, the halfback and first-five combination of Ferguson and Manawatu worked a treat, directing traffic and distributing the ball well. Both displayed individual flair as well. The centre pairing of Caldwell and Talavou were impressive, with blockbusting runs on several occasions. Andrew Verwey was a workhorse in the tight five.
GVR coach Jamie Rogers said it was a hard-fought game and they had to dig deep for their second win in two games. "The boys defended well in the second half, as did South Westland."
South Westland 21 (J Coleman, J Clancy 2; E Lash 3 con) GVR 26 (M Daly, B Ferguson, J Lesoa tries; T Manawatu 2 conv, DG, B Ferguson pen).
Other scores: Kiwi 69, Blaketown 14; Wests 67, White Star 7; Westport 44, Marist 14.
PICTURES: Bill Phillips - DiGiSPORT - Grey Valley-Reefton fullback Dylan Roberston on the counter attack.
