It was the business end of the season in the Luisetti Seeds Combined competition with a mixture of results for our remaining Mid Canterbury sides. The Senior B competition provided some absolute thrilling games. There was a mixture of results in the teenage rugby. 

Methven played against Lincoln in the Canterbury Rugby Supporters Trophy and Rakaia played against Ashley, with both teams playing away. Southern played against Glenmark/Cheviot in the Luisetti Seeds Combined competition semi-final. 

Methven started off slowly, conceding a try in the opening minutes of the game. But struck back almost immediately, after an impressive set up play. Hooker, Ben Bartlett, was in the right place, received the offload and crashed his way over the try line. The boot of fullback, Reuben Early, came into play in the second half, as he kicked two penalty goals. Mid way through the second half, second five, Xavier Bartlett, dotted down for a try to seal the deal, the game finished up 20-7 to Methven.

Rakaia had a more difficult day at the office, coming up against an in-form Ashley team. Rakaia managed to find an early try to number eight, Harry Ashworth. Rakaia couldn't strike again until early in the second half as fullback, Harvey Blyth, scored for the visitors. Rakaia couldn't stop Ashley's attack though, as they ran in seven tries to Rakaia's two, the final score was 14-47 to Ashley. 

It was the biggest game of the year for Southern, as they faced off against Glenmark/Cheviot at Southern. It was a tough day at the office for Southern as they went down 17-28. Southern's midfielder, Thomas Middleton, was the star of the show, scoring seven of Southern's seventeen points. 

In the third week of the Centennial Mug, there was a mixture of close games and a couple of convincing victories. Southern played againt Collegiate at Hinds. Soutern won a thriller 23-22, with tries to Jonty Tresidder and Angus Rollinson. Sam Benny led the scorers, with thirteen points off the boot for Southern. 

Mt Somers played against Allenton at Allenton in what was a convincing 38-21victory for Mt Somers. Halfback, John Bukholt, was the star of the show for Mt Somers as he dotted down for two tries in the victory.

Methven played Celtic in a Bruce Beckley Shield game at Methven. The home side were able to retain the Shield in a thrilling 34-33 victory. The tries were spread out amongst the side with five different try scorers for Methven. 

Hampstead played against Rakaia in the most convincing win of the Senior B round. Hampstead won 62-22, with both number eight, Gasolo Salima and reserve forward, Tuufua Meki scoring two tries each. 

There was a local derby in the Colts competition as the Celtic Colts played against the Tinwald combined side at Tinwald. Celtic were dominant in their 47-17 victory with prop, Pasi Hala, dotting down for a hat trick of tries.

In the Under 18's, the Alps side played against BDI at Dunsandel. It was a very close game with the Alps side losing their first game of the season in a game that finished 15-17.

In the Under 16 competition, it was a great weekend for our local sides. Celtic Under 16's played against Waihora Under 16's in a top four battle. Celtic came away with a big victory as they won 36-5. The Methven Under 16's played against Kaiapoi High School in what was the biggest score line of the weekend as Methven won 96-7. In the last game of the Under 16's, the Plains side played against Oxford which capped off a good weekend for our Under 16's as the Plains won 48-10. 

Lastly, in the Under 14's the Plains played against the Lincoln Knights. The Plains side had a comfortable victory as they won 31-12. The Alps side played against Rangiora; it was a tough day at the office for the Alps side as they lost 21-34. 

Article added: Tuesday 14 June 2022