Blaketown had a largely unconvincing 16-7 win over Grey Valley at Rugby Park, Greymouth, on
Saturday. Meanwhile, giant topplers Kiwi lifted their winning streak to three after coming back for
a 33-30 victory against Marist, also at Rugby Park.

With a chilly wind about, both Blaketown and Grey Valley failed to find their feet throughout the game. Only at the start of the second half, when Blaketown exploded out of the blocks and nearly
scored within a minute of kicking off to Grey Valley did the match look like opening up.

Th e seagulls started off with an early try to young wing Beau Cain, who was put over in the corner by his inside backs. Second five-eighth Lance McEwen beat his man and passed to James Ward in support, who then linked with Adam Richardson for Blaketown’s second.

Both sides then went into a tactical kicking and confrontational forward battle, seeking territory and the retention of possession. Only one attack late in the first period looked close to resulting in a try, as Grey Valley repeated quick phases in their attacking half of the fi eld; however, Blaketown managed to hold them out.

Flanker Alan Monk set up a flying start to the second half by leaping high in the air to steal the kick off . The black team spread it wide immediately and it was only good drifting defence by the
valley backs that prevented a five-pointer. Blaketown did get a penalty, though, and Cain slotted it for a 13-0 lead. Luke Hughes made his usual timely injection and scored immediately afterwards.

Th e Grey Valley fullback ran a nice cut to break the line, and had some help from his forwards to push over the line. His own conversion put Grey Valley back in touch at 13-7. Hughes and fi rst-fi ve Ash Goode had three penalty kick attempts between them in the play following the try, but
could not convert on any of them.

Instead Blaketown made a push up the middle. Grey Valley turned the ball over at their own end but Blaketown flanker Kevin Curtis forced a pivotal penalty as valley tried to work the ball out of the danger zone for Cain to easily knock over and put the score out of reach of a converted try.

An interesting sight was Willie Iafeta starting the match for Blaketown at prop — he never lagged behind his younger forwards and anchored the scrum superbly.

Goode had a sound tactical kicking game for Grey Valley, and lanky lock Andrew Verway was again dominant at the lineout.

Results.—

Blaketown 16 (B Cain, A Richardson tries; Cain 2 pens)
Grey Valley 7 (L Hughes try, con);

Kiwi 33 (K Parker, J Muir, J Dwyer, J Foster tries; D Green 3 pens,2 cons)
Marist 30 (A Lewis, C Hart, A Webber tries; Webber 3 cons, 3 pens).

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Matt Kersten
Greymouth Star Newspaper