RUGBY: Wellsford best in arm wrestle

Wellsford broke a nine-year losing streak at Hikurangi to remain unbeaten and top of the Southern Districts club rugby competition.

With five minutes to play Hikurangi looked to have sealed Saturday's game with a late try, but a penalty in the last play of the game gave Wellsford the win, 26-24.

Hikurangi coach Hector Davies said the game was an 80-minute arm wrestle but unfortunately the result didn't go their way.

Hikurangi scored first points through a successful penalty kick from Noel Edmonds, before Wellsford replied with a try scored and converted by Matthew Wright. Wellsford were rewarded for a sustained period of attack deep in Hikurangi's half with a try to Ian Neal out wide - giving them the lead 18-17 at the break.

The score remained unchanged for most of the half until Wellsford scored an unconverted try through winger Dylan Lewis, after a chip-kick from first-five Johnny Moimoi was regathered and spread wide. Late in the second half Hikurangi staged a comeback with a bit of luck and a chip-kick of their own. Fullback Troy Raitt regathered the kick and scored under the posts to make the score 24-23 to Hikurangi with only minutes remaining.

From the restart Hikurangi kicked possession away, giving Wellsford the chance to counter.

With the final play of the game, Wellsford's Wright made no mistake with a penalty 30m out to snatch the victory - giving him 16 points for the match.

Wellsford vice-captain Ross Neal said his team expected the game to be close and now were focusing on shutting out Mid Western this week.

"We have kind of been under the radar up until this week but now we need to up our game."

In the weekend's other matches, the return of ex-Northland No8 Jake Parangatai wasn't enough for Marist to overcome Mid Western (20-13), although Marist remain second on the table boasting the competition's best offensive and defensive records. Kamo out-muscled Otamatea 29-22 at home, while Old Boys scored an away win against the Western Sharks (32-12), and Mid Northern overcame Hora Hora 42-30.

This Saturday, Old Boys host Marist, Mid Northern face Western Sharks at Hukerenui, Hora Hora will host Kamo, Otamatea play Hikurangi at Kaiwaka, and Mid Western play Wellsford at Maungakaramea.