Weekend Wrap-up vs Southern
THE GLASSMAN COLTS
With player numbers building each week & the squad is getting more settled with consistent player combinations the young lads are playing really well as a whole.
Being bolstered by the return of Joe Benton for his first outing for the season, the lead changed plenty of time throughout the match, and the colts had a late opportunity to grab the win from the final play of the game with a kick-and-chase.
Unfortunately we all know the cliches of the bouncing rugby ball, and it wasn’t to be. The colts did however come away from the match securing two vital bonus points, scoring four tries & finished within seven points of Southern.
Saturdays try scorers were; Allan Hartley, Sione Tomu, Daniel Fa’asev and Nemiso Fa’aga. Player of the day was the always hard working hooker, Tabare Rabanyaki.
FINAL SCORE: Spotswood United 28 – Southern 32
SPEEDY SIGNS DIVISION 1
With the luxury of a full 28 man squad & led from the front by captain, Dylan Treweek, the Div One lads were always going to be competitive. The boys came out firing from the first whistle and got away to a good start with an early try after relentless attack to dynamic loosely, Braden Hayward.
Returning from injury, former Premiers coach Mitch Williams was the last in the chain to dot down after a superb gather, break and assist by fullback, Malakai Reweti who looked elusive all day.Southern were no push-over though with some sound defence and attack of their own, but Spotswood United continued their form they have been building over the last few weeks, chalking up six tries to their name. Points trys came from Malakai Reweti (2), Josh Hamilton, Mitch Williams, Tama Maaka & Braden Hayward. The rest came via the boot of Malakai Reweti for a personal tally of 16 points.
Thomas Carley had a sterling game and was named ‘Player of the Day’, picking up 3 MVP points, 2 points going to Daniel Cox who was as strong as ever and 1 point to the inspirational Mitch Williams.
The Division One teams sits second on the table, two points behind Coastal, their next opponent – this game will be a cracker!
FINAL SCORE: Spotswood United 36 – Southern 12
ATE FORTYONE PREMIERS
To honour ANZAC day, the club wish to thank the RSA for reciting the ANZAC ODE and Bryce Johns for playing the Last Post prior to the Premier kickoff which was an emotive motivation for all
This week the Premier side welcome back players from touch nationals, injury, and also three new members to the backline from Auckland.
From the opening minutes it was evident that the defensive structure had been a key training point in camp in the week leading up.
A relentless Southern side grabbed the first points of the game via a penalty, then followed that up with a converted try.
After being reduced to 14 men late in the first half, Southern again dotted down right on halftime – a coach killer for sure! The half time score was 17 – 0 to the visiting side.
The Spotswood United forward pack, which was dominant at scrum-time all day, orchestrated some brilliant structured drives, with one leading to the first United try for tight-head prop, Sione Sifa in the 45th minute.
Newly recruited first five, Louis Bartley-Saena’s brilliant foot-work and an around-the-corner assist to another new player to the premier backline, Levi Filiga (Mike) who scored out wide in the 65th minute.
Number 8, AJ Lemalu had a powerful game again around the field and controlled the back of the scums all day. He was rewarded after another dominant scrum, scooping off the back and breaking tackles to crash over with all but 3 minute’s to go on the clock.
Game on now!
Southern looked to slow the play down with pick-and-go from the base of the rucks hoping the full time hooter would go, but a timely turnover that lead to a penalty, and resulting kick to the corner for the last lineout of the game.
The game went well into over-time with Spotswood United putting together dominant phase after phase.
With an around the back pass from Louis, and a basket pass by a Player of the Day, Kane Perrett, put full back Tyrese Ratahi in space, only to be ankle tapped. Having regathered his feet carried the ball over the line for a dramatic five pointer and end to the game, resulting in a draw. The lads are building well from earlier results this year and looking to push this forward as the season continues.
Full Time: Spotswood United 22 – Southern 22
