Dunedin Rugby Football Club (Inc)

Promising fullback Matt Faddes was in superb touch and scored two late tries as University A came from behind to beat Dunedin at Kettle Park.

Dunedin led 20-14 and was in control when Faddes turned the game around with two brilliant individual tries.

He shot through a hole midway through the second spell and ran around the wing and fullback to score wide out to make it a one-point game.

Then, in the final minute, Faddes shot down the blindside and eluded the defence to win the game for the students.

It was a Houdini act by Faddes to take the game from a Dunedin team that had controlled possession and territory for the middle 40 minutes with its strong scrum and the powerful work of loose forwards Tim Fraser and Anthony Diack who dominated the breakdown.

The students had been in control in the first quarter and led 6-0 after first five-eighth Tom Halse kicked two of his three first half penalty goals after 14 and 18 minutes. Read the rest of this entry »

Dunedin dominated the second spell and scored three more tries when it beat Green Island at Kettle Park.

Dunedin’s dominant pack won most of the ball in the first spell but its backline muddled its way through with turnovers and other lost scoring opportunities.

The ball was spilled on two occasions with the line open.

Green Island scored the first try when it counter-attacked.

Fullback Albert Alapati was tackled close to the line and flanker Jason Bint was up in support to score the try.

Dunedin finally scored after 30 minutes when flanker Simon Luke crashed over after a rolling maul from a lineout.

Dunedin led 10-5 at the break but the gap closed to two points when first five-eighth Alex Davies kicked a penalty goal soon early in the second spell.

Prop Will Henry led the charge for Dunedin in the second half when it dominated possession with its powerful scrum and dominant lineout. Read the rest of this entry »

Midfield back Quintin Edwards was strong on attack and defence and played a key role in Pirates’ 17-9 win over Dunedin at Hancock Park.

His two line breaks were crucial to Pirates in a tight game in which it was difficult to break the advantage line.

Pirates led 7-3 at the break after first five-eighth Glenn Dickson hoisted an up-and-under taken by dynamic flanker Josh Clark who ran in the try. Read the rest of this entry »

Strong defence pressured Dunedin into errors and gained Kaikorai an upset win against last year’s champion at Bishopscourt.

Dunedin looked to have the game in the bag when it played with the wind in the second spell with the scores level, 15-15, at the break.

Dunedin camped inside the Kaikorai 22m for much of the second spell but could only score one try because of strong defence by the Kaikorai forwards and pressure from the backs.

When No 8 Joe Dobson scored after seven minutes, Dunedin led 22-15 and had the game in its grasp because it had the advantage of a 10-point wind.

Dunedin appeared to have the game in control until breakouts after 30 and 38 minutes led to tries by lock Noa Soqeta and No 8 Kensak Palepoi and gave Kaikorai a narrow win.

First five-eighth Cam Rutherford kicked accurately and controlled play efficiently and was the best of the Kaikorai backs.

Wing Richard Cowley had the spark that led to the two breakouts while Soqeta, Palepoi and flanker Lee Allan played well in the forwards. Read the rest of this entry »

 Dunedin took the lead for the first time with 10 minutes left when flanker Gareth Evans grabbed the ball from a lineout inside the Taieri half and the forwards drove toward the line. First five-eighth Shaan Davis cut through untouched to score under the bar and Dunedin led 22-20. Taieri attacked inside the Dunedin half and first five-eighth Andrew Reid kicked his second penalty goal and Taieri led by a point. Shortly after, from a Dunedin clearing kick,Charlie O’Connell tapped the ball into the hands of winger Tom Davie, who outpaced the defence to score his second try and make the game secure.The Dunedin front row of Kelsey Miller, Will Henry and David Smart was dominant and pushed Taieri back in the scrum, while Evans was a lively flanker. Halfback Fraser Lau was the best Dunedin back with his long passing and skilled kicks over the top and his covering. Michael Walding was able to breach the advantage line in the midfield and was an effective defender. Taieri 30 (Tom Davie 2, Ryan Shortland, Kurt Webster tries; Andrew Reid 2 conversions, 2 penalty goals), Dunedin 22 (Louis Tili, Shaan Davis, Will Henry tries; Tili 2 conversions, penalty goal). Halftime: Taieri 15-10. Referee: Doug Rodgers.