3 October 2024
While we were all hoping for solid semi final match ups today, the rain had other ideas. It meant a delayed start to the day and limited use of fields, so the semi-finals are now pushed to tomorrow.
But that didn’t stop the boys, each team fronting regardless of the conditions.
With only one game each today, getting the win on the board was even more important.
In Section A of the 16s, both South Island and Bay of Plenty came into it with a win each, but in their head-to-head clash today it was South Island who managed to grab the upper hand, clinching a 10-6 win to put them in top spot and still in contention to defend their title.
Both Counties Manukau and Auckland were again both looking to make it three from three and that they did, both teams holding their opposition scoreless, Counties seeing off Waikato 10-0, Auckland beating Coastline 20-0.
In Section D, Manawatu clinched their first win of the tournament against Gisborne Tairawhiti, 30-0, while pool leaders after Day 1 Wellington and Akarana faced off to see who would stay top of the table. Trailing 10-6 at halftime, Wellington however couldn’t get over the line and another try to Akarana sealed the game 18-6.
South Island and Counties both continued their winning streak at this year’s competition albeit the match between Counties and Bay of Plenty was a lot tighter than South Island’s game versus Northland. South Island scored the majority of their points in the first half, leading 10-0 going into the break, but with the rain coming down in the second it proved too challenging, and they were only able to add another converted try to their tally.
Top of the section after Day 1, Akarana and Wellington faced off just like in the 16s, and the result here was no different unfortunately for Wellington. A missed conversion by Wellington gave Akarana the small 6-4 lead into half time, but errors and penalties proved too costly in the second, Akarana able to get over on the right hand side. Wellington did think they had levelled it up dotting down after putting through a grubber kick under the posts, but it was called back for offside. Full time score 10-4.
For all draw and results updates visit sporty.co.nz
On Finals day, live-streamed matches will be on YouTube
