The Dunedin Rugby Football Club (Inc)

Desperate and courageous defence helped Dunedin win its 10th premier rugby banner at Carisbrook on Saturday.

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Dunedin won the Speight’s championship shield when it beat Southern 11-10 in a gripping final that was in the balance until the final whistle.

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It was tense championship rugby and the Dunedin supporters in the crowd of 3000 stood as one and cheered their team when referee Ross Barnett blew for full-time.

The hero for Dunedin was No 8 and captain Scott McKee, who won his second championship banner.

McKee played a key role with his ability to break the advantage line by taking the ball up after the Dunedin scrum had been pushed backward.

He combined with Tim Fraser and Jon Crossan in a fiery loose forward trio that dominated the breakdown and kept the pressure on Southern.

Dunedin dominated possession in the first spell and looked to have the game under control when it led 11-0 at the break, though in the early exchanges, the powerful Southern scrum had pushed the Dunedin eight backwards and threatened to take charge.

The strong Dunedin line-out, headed by lock Michael Gurran, began to starve Southern of ball, which allowed Dunedin to take the upper hand.

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It will be a repeat of the 2007 final when Southern and Dunedin clash in the Dunedin Speight’s championship final at Carisbrook on Saturday.

Dunedin Captain Scott McKee will be playing in his fourth final in five years.

Dunedin won the banner in 2005 but has been the bridesmaid for the last two years.

Dunedin comfortably beat Pirates in the main semifinal at the University Oval, capitalising on every opportunity it had to score points.

The first try came after eight minutes when wing Tumua Ioane broke up the touchline deep into the Pirates 22m.

From the breakdown halfback Fraser Lau darted round the blindside to dot down.

Fullback Robbie Smith, besides being dangerous on the counter-attack, had his kicking boots on and landed four goals from his six attempts.

Dunedin was in complete control in the first spell and had shut Pirates out of the game.

Big lock Michael Gurran dominated the line-out and loose forwards Scott McKee, Tim Fraser and Jon Crossan were a devastating unit on attack and defence.

The first 30 minutes of the second spell was different with Pirates controlling play and making use of the wind at its back.

It camped inside the Dunedin 22m for long periods and kept hammering at the Dunedin line.

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Harbour were comprehensively beaten 29-3 by a Dunedin team that played more constructive rugby and scored four tries with No 8 and captain Scott McKee having an outstanding game.

DUNEDIN………………………………….29

HARBOUR…………………………………..3

Dunedin 29 (Josh Hamilton, Joe Bradley, Michael Gurran, Andrew Mackintosh tries; Shaan Davis 3 conversions, penalty goal), Harbour 3 (Jonnie Hughes penalty goal). Halftime: Dunedin 8-0.

Referee: Tim Baker.

The draw for next Saturday’s semi-finals is: Southern v Alhambra Union, and Pirates v Dunedin.

Both games will be played at the University Oval.

 Flanker Jon Crossan played an outstanding game when Dunedin beat Taieri 15-6.

Dunedin 15 (Joe Bradley, Jon Crossan tries; Robbie Smith conversion, penalty goal), Taieri 3 (Michael Witt penalty goal). Halftime: Dunedin 10-3.

Referee: Dave Kennedy

Southern won the Gallaway Trophy competition on 47 points and are followed by University A 47, Harbour 46, , Dunedin 42, Alhambra-Union 41, Pirates 33, Kaikorai 27, Zingari-Richmond 19 , Green Island 15 and Taieri 12

The top six teams for the championship round have been decided. The draw for next week’s quarter-finals is: Southern v Pirates, University A v Alhambra-Union and Harbour v Dunedin. All games will be at home grounds.