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MANGAWHAI'S NO.1 NEWSPAPER
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Wellsford open season with convincing winThe Wharehine Wellsford premier rugby team got off to a great start in the Bayleys Northland Premier competition with a convincing 40-10 win over Western Sharks at Centennial Park on Saturday.
Built on the back of a commanding forward effort in the first half, Wellsford scored 6 tries to 2 as they took apart a typically dogged Sharks defence. Young prop Mike McDonald opened the scoring with a try after a strong drive from close to the line, followed soon after by his propping partner Joe Treadwell, who took on the whole Sharks forward pack in an impressive display of strength to crash over for a well earned try. The dominant forward effort gave Wellsford loosies Mitch Fleming, Louis Smith and Heath Colthurst a great platform to operate from, and they put on an impressive display turning over ball at breakdowns and creating havoc in the midfield with some strong breaks on attack. The Wellsford backline looked slick in the first half thanks to all the front-foot ball, with second five Cam Barbour capping off a fine game with a try after a typically strong bust in the midfield, and then wing Dylan Lewis showed real pace in finishing a length-of-the-field backline move. In between times, Northland fullback Matty Wright looked all class as he weaved his magic against a tiring defence. His 2 tries, 2 penalties and 2 conversions for 20 points was just reward for his efforts as he thrilled the crowd with some spectacular running. The La Padella players of the day for Wellsford were Colthurst and Barbour. The young Wharehine Wellsford premier reserve team were beaten by a more experienced Sharks side 15-10 in a real cliffhanger. With five players new to this level of rugby, Wellsford took some time to settle into the game, and they can thank number 8 Stu Oldfield and second five James Pulehega for keeping them in touch with an impressive Sharks side who dominated the early exchanges. Tiki Korewha scored Wellsford’s only try, with Troy Peihopa adding a conversion and penalty. A controversially disallowed try late in the game to halfback Aaron Fletcher would have given Wellsford the chance to win the game, but they had to settle for the close loss and the satisfaction of finishing the game well. The La Padella players of the day were flanker Corey McDevitt and wing Levi Te Amo. Wellsfords second game was against Otamatea at Kaiwaka Saturday March 8. - Mick Sweetman |
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