North Otago rewrote parts of the Union’s 83 year old history with its 116-3 demolition of East Coast at Whakarua Park on Saturday.  It bypassed the previous highest team score of 73-7 over Wanganui in 2002, the record margin of 67 over West Coast in 2001 and Luke Herden’s bag of five tries erased the names of the previous highest try-scorers who all scored four tries.

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Ireland played in their final match today in the 5 nations taking place in Paris, and finished in style with a 2- 0 win over Scotland.

Ireland opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when Eugene Magee took a reverse stick shot on the far post firing the ball into the bottom left corner for a one nil lead.

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"We would like to thank Samurai sportswear for making our cycling attire, Truro College for supplying us with a minibus and camping equipment, and Asda for  allowing us to do a fundraising day at their Penryn store a few weeks  ago, where we raised £470 in donations on the day."
        

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Ireland win 3-1 with goals from Nicola Evans, Miriam Crowley and Cliodhna Sargent.

Ireland 3 (Cliodhna Sargent, Nikki Evans, Miriam Crowley) Belgium 1 (Valerie Vermeersch) Ireland continued to show their attacking intent as they notched their second comprehensive win
of the weekend over Belgium at the National Hockey Stadium.

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Match report from HRC - Turku 12.07

Kick off was planned at 14:00, team meeting was set at 10. The weather was sunny, the field was dry but with more patches of grass than the usual sand/stone/junk mix.
Coach got nervous as the meeting time was past and over 8 players' status were unknown. Nevertheless, we started training and it became clear that everyone present had a strong motivation for a victory. Forwards had an excellent preparation for the Scrums with Juhani's friend (the name escapes me), backs worked together with Aki and Thomas to manage a few experiences (Michael from Flanker to Center...) and some changes (Ray's come back! Aki as number 10, a lot of players were out on holiday or involved in other activities...).

We walked together to the field and start a small run around to adjust ourselves. Spirit is getting into focus and we are ready to welcome Turku on our field for our first encounter of the season. We lost the toss but get the kick and the side we wanted. There is a light wind and no shadow, ref is Stephen Thorne.

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Captain's Report

Last Saturday was a day that many of the HRC 2nd team players (and some 1st XV players
as well) had been waiting for a long time: The first away games of the 2010 season, a tournament
in Lahti to be precise. The team left with bus from the city we all love, to play the game that we
all love, against teams that we all love to play, and also against one team that we all love to hate.
Everyone seemed well rested in the morning and eager to play their A game, which was expected
because there was a lot of improvement to do from the previous tournaments. As always, the team
was formed from a mix of new and experienced players. Steve was coaching the team with help
from the captains Aki and Mathieu.

The team arrived in Lahti in time to prepare for the three games of the day both mentally and
physically. Everyone was 100% focused as the first game was against Warriors. Our game plan
of the day was to keep the ball alive, avoiding rucks and mauls, making space for the supporting
players and to kick only inside our own 22 if needed. However, when the game against Warriors
started all of this seemed to be forgotten by our half back Eliott and fly half Aki, resulting to a
couple of terrible mistakes plus lack of communication that eventually led into two early tries
scored by Warriors. We were down by 12 points but no one was willing to give up the game,
especially Eliott who was determined to make up for the previous mistakes. And that he did by
scoring two great individual tries and the win was up for grabs for the both teams again. HRC
gained a huge confidence boost and started ramming down the defensive line of Warriors eventually
putting 48 points on the score board. Warriors had no control of the game because of HRC’s
brilliant passes, off-loads, runs and tackles. I was truly happy to go to the bench and see Niilo
doing a great job as number 10, and with help of Eliott they provided quick balls for our backs to
do their magic with. After the game HRC was ready to play their next games with great
self-confidence and the poor Warriors saps were ready to pack their bags and take the first train
to Aussie Bar.

Stephen Whittaker
Helsinki Rugby Club Vice Chairman

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North Otago first five-eighth Ben Patston gets the ball away during his team's Ranfurly Shield Challenge against Southland at Rugby Park in Invercargill last night. Photo by NZPA.

They call it the sound of silence, and for 40 marvellous minutes last night, it was sweet music to North Otago's ears.

There was no miracle. North Otago isn't returning to Oamaru today with the Ranfurly Shield, but there was an inspiring, gritty performance from a tiny union that has long punched above its weight.

As the temperature plummeted and the steam started pouring off the players, about 8500 fans at Rugby Park were left rubbing their eyes at halftime.

The scoreboard was broken, surely. Could Southland, jam-packed with Super 14 players, really only be leading a bunch of amateurs 10-3?

There was no mistake. North Otago belied its almost complete lack of preparation and its status to stay in the game through 40 minutes of sheer guts.

Guided by the booming left boot of new first five Ben Patston, the Old Golds forced the Stags back into their half time and time again.

In the set phases, facing a pack containing seven professional players, the visitors yielded no ground.

And when the Southland backs tried to give the ball some air, there always seemed to be a gold-clad defender in the way.

Workhorse loose forwards Ross Hay and Ryan Long never stopped tackling, locks Eric Duff and Dave Simpson produced yeomanlike efforts, and prop Pieter van der Merwe showed his strength in the tight.

Beyond the mightily impressive Patston, captain Luke Herden barrelled through what gaps he could find and Ofa Fatai went looking for work.

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