Wins for both Bay's senior sides

BRIDGE

17 May. Patons Rock Individual Session 5: P Panzeri/E Bradshaw 58%; R Smith/J Harper 54%; A Telford/R McDonald 52%. H/cap: R Smith/J Harper 58%; P Panzeri/E Bradshaw 55.75%; A Telford/R McDonald 51.5%.

19 May. Friday Champs Session 4: S Douglas/J Massey 56.35%; C Furness/C Mead 53.17%; D Perreau/E Bradshaw 53.17%. H/cap: S Douglas/J Massey 56.35%; L Field/A Foreman 57.88%; A Scotland/L Thomas 54.24%.

FOOTBALL

Nelson Suburbs FC Steamers 7 v GB Wahine Toa 0.

A moment's silence was observed before the start of every game in Tasman Rugby Union competition last Saturday in recognition of the sudden passing of former Blues, Crusaders, and Hurricanes player Billy Guyton.

Collingwood conquer – again

The large crowd which turned out to watch Collingwood host Division 2 rivals Huia on Saturday, were treated to an exciting, free-flowing “old-school” game of rugby.

The muddy conditions clearly suited the home team whose 15 - 7 win continued their 100 per cent record start to the season and put them into second place on the table behind Stoke who have a couple of extra bonus points.

For the first period of Saturday’s match there was little to choose between the two teams, but it was the visitors who opened the scoring with a try and conversion after 18 minutes. By that time every player’s jersey was splattered with mud making it difficult for the spectators to identify who was who.

Three minutes later the Black and Gold replied with a try of their own from Gareth Scott, following a rolling maul, which narrowed the deficit to 5-7. Now relishing the conditions, the home side kept pushing their forwards up the left flank and, after 10 minutes of relentless pressure, broke down Huia’s defence allowing skipper Ryan McKay to ground the ball over the line. Liam Miller’s subsequent conversion took the score to 12-7.

In the second half, both sides made frequent forays into their opponent’s territory and, in defiance of deteriorating playing surface, showed good handling and passing skills.

However, after an hour of play, Collingwood’s relentless pressure forced the visitors into making mistakes and defensive errors – one of which was punished by Liam Miller following the award of a penalty to the home side.

With the score at 15-7, and with passions running high, things got worse for Huia towards the end of the game when they were forced to field a makeshift scrum after one of their forwards was ordered off the pitch. Much to the home supporters’ delight, the drama continued when a Huia prop joined his dismissed team-mate after receiving a yellow card from the referee. Despite losing two key members of the scrum, however, the visitors managed to repel Collingwood’s advances to keep the score at 15-7 until the final whistle.

With three wins from their opening three games, Collingwood’s coach Graeme Miller was understandably pleased with his team’s performance, saying it had been an "incredible game,” adding that both sides had played “good flowing rugby”. He was also relieved that Collingwood’s home turf would have two weeks to recover, thanks to an away match next week and it being the King’s Birthday the following weekend. Collingwood's next home fixture is on Saturday 10 June when they take on Tapawera/Valley Stags.

Tākaka continue high-scoring run

Tākaka’s high-scoring men’s team kept up their impressive “run rate” with an emphatic 53-19 victory away to Murchison in Saturday’s Division 2 clash. The Golden Bay side have now amassed a total of 135 points in their first three games – more than any other team in the division.

Tākaka’s first points of the afternoon came shortly kick-off courtesy of a try from Kyle Gardiner, and three more were added before half-time, taking the score to 5-24.

In the second half Tākaka outscored their hosts five tries to two, including a contribution from veteran Anthony Tait, one of six try scorers for the Golden Bay team.

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ACROSS

9 Gross order to where the nor-wester blows (5)

10 Light praises heard for letters (9)

11 Put in as 999 Romans sat (7)

12 Give authority for me to head west - might be a follower (7)

13 Sat with no movement. I cast amazed (10)

14 Duty of the French - very hesitant departure (4)

16 Furthest east - unknown but a metre out (7)

19 An article moreover as a rule (7)

21 Really likes the accommodation (4)

22 A lofty, firm set of ways or whatever it takes (2,3,5)

26 Edge back - it’s ominous for the traveller (7)

27 Do you find this nude man dull? (7)

28 It joins the scam that cornet player follows (9)

29 Wear elegantly at first before you went by horse (5)

DOWN

1 Drive motor - there’s no alternative. I had tea about five (8)