Thames Valley make encouraging start

PAEROA - Thames Valley made the best possible start to NPC second division rugby season when beating Mid Canterbury 35-7 here today.

Led by large locks Tyrone Maullin and Andy Springgay, the Thames Valley forwards dominated all phases and never allowed Mid Canterbury a chance to settle down.

With a good supply of ball the backs, directed by halfback Aaron McDonald, linked well and put tremendous pressure on their opposites.

Thames Valley led 25-0 at halftime after scoring three of their four tries, to flanker David Dillon, winger Pacilla Wilson and centre Justin Leach.

Mid Canterbury lifted their game from the start of the second spell and with better ball control were able to put pressure on Thames Valley's defence.

While energetic Thames Valley hooker Barton Thompson scored his side's bonus point try, Mid Canterbury got on the scoreboard when halfback Nathan Fridd darted through a ruck to score beside the goalposts.

The last quarter belonged to Thames Valley as both coaches used all their bench players with little impact on the overall trend of play.

Forwards to stand out for Thames Valley were Dillon, prop Api Apela, Maullin and Springgay.

McDonald was sound leader of the home side's backs, with Wilson and fullback Michael Griffin also impressing.

Mid Canterbury struggled up front but had no better toilers than hooker Regan Johns and No 8 Jason Gill while Fridd and second five-eighth Phil Pendergast stood out among their backs.

Both teams had players sent to the sinbin, winger Jason Feutz for Mid Canterbury and hooker Brent Duffin for Thames Valley.

Thames Valley 35 (David Dillon, Barton Thompson, Pacilla Wilson, Justin Leach tries; Michael Griffin 3 pen, 3 con) Mid Canterbury 7 (Nathan Fridd try; Wayne Bell con). Halftime: 25-0.

- NZPA