Morrinsville get bonus point win against University
5th June 2011 02:04PM
Morrinsville Sports 31 - University 14
By Hamish Forsman
The final score line flattered Morrinsville in an evenly contested match at the University grounds, and it took two late tries from Morrinsville captain Alex Bradley to secure his side the win.
University battled away admirably but Morrinsville’s experience shone through as they played with more structure and control in the wet conditions, particularly in the final quarter.
The students scored first from an intercept try to wing Pino Bampinola but Morrinsville struck back straight away with a try to halfback Jared Bayliss.
The visitors, with the wind at their back, then dominated territory for most of the first half but didn’t scored again until right on halftime when fullback Benji Olesen pounced on a loose ball that had been toed ahead.
But University responded well in the early stages of the second half, and when No 8 Sonny Ali’faalogo charged his way over from a poor clearing kick with twenty minutes left it was a three point game.
Morrinsville then took control in the last ten minutes pinning University deep in their own half, and No 8 Bradley scored twice in the last seven minutes to close out the game and earn the bonus point.
Bradley and loose forward partner Paul Sweeney were Morrinsville’s best, while University’s young forwards Eli Atkins and Ali’faalogo also stood out.
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