WEST COAST RUGBY UNION - News

Grey Valley back to winning ways

by Matt Kersten - Grey Star

Grey Valley sent South Westland home with nothing but a good old thrashing on their minds, as the Ikamatua hosts won their Muir Trophy rugby match 46-15, on Saturday.

The Valley boys scored eight tries in the romp, while hooker Mike Riley grabbed a brace for the visitors.

Meanwhile, Kiwi limited Wests to only a penalty as they took their Hokitika derby match 33-3, and Marist defaulted to Blaketown due to a lack of available players.

It was Grey Valley’s backs that did work for them on Saturday, each one of the starters making some kind of impact to get their team off to a strong start.

In a smart change, Josh Bruhn started at first-five rather than off the bench, with Kriss Dumelow shifting to the wing.

It allowed Bruhn to exhibit his tactical ability, while Dumelow’s speed and step was of more use out wide rather than in the tighter play closer to the ruck.

Fullback Luke Hughes scored the first try after a gap in the defence was created by brothers Tyler and Nathan Waghorn, at second-five and centre respectively, running straight lines.

After Bruhn and Hughes had gained a heap of ground through half breaks, Blair Mirfin did what he does best for his first try, putting his head down and charging through a couple players.

South Westland finally strung some phases together and got a penalty out of it, followed by Riley’s first try from the back of a driving maul, but Grey Valley widened the gap to 17-8 with Lee Helmes set up by Bruhn for a five-pointer.

Tyler Waghorn combined with Dumelow for Grey Valley’s fourth just before half-time, the younger Waghorn breaking the line and passing to Dumelow, who was forced to pass it back as the defence caught up to him.

South Westland’s hopes for a second half comeback were snuffed out early as hooker James Whitmore, replacement flanker Andrew O’Connor and wing Nick Birchfield scored successive tries to put Grey Valley up 41-8.

Riley’s second came too late to help his side’s confidence. Mirfin added the last try with only a few minutes remaining to cap a successful outing for the black-and-yellows.

Results.—
Grey Valley 46 (B Mirfin 2, L Hughes, T Waghorn, N Birchfield, L Helmes, J Whitmore, A O’Connor tries; Hughes 3 cons), South Westland 15 (M Riley 2 tries; S Hannan pen, con)

Kiwi 33 (S McClure 2, T Weepu, J Van Vliet, D Tauwhare tries; McClure 4 cons),
Wests 3 (E Church pen)

Blaketown beat Marist by default.