Old Boys beat University for eleventh straight win
12th June 2011 11:32AM
By Hamish Forsman
Hamilton Old Boys have extended their competition lead to eight points as they chalked up their eleventh straight win - their sixth with a four try bonus point, beating University at home 34-20.
Despite Old Boys running in five tries to two at Fred Jones Park, both teams endeavoured to play open attacking rugby which made for an interesting spectacle, although the error rate in the slippery conditions upset the flow of the game at times.
University started quickly and turned their early pressure into points with two penalties in the opening 10 minutes from first five Gavin Donald, but Old Boys then sprung into life and went on a try scoring burst, crossing three times in just six minutes midway through the first half.
The first was a brilliant solo effort from halfback Malcolm Barnes, and he then set up the second when he kicked into space which was chased down and finished off by lock Johan Bardoul, before first five Thomas Bird made a break near halfway and cruised through the University defence for the third.
After their promising start the students were stunned. However they replied not long after when fullback Tim Mikkelson split open the Old Boys defence to score under the posts to make the score 19-13 at the break.
Old Boys then slowly asserted control and continued to extend their lead, first through a Bird drop goal, then with their bonus point try when Bardoul crashed over the line for his second of the day.
With five minutes left Mikkelson scored his second try to give University a glimmer of hope, but on full time an Old Boys’ break down the right wing was finished off by winger Andrew Fitchett.
Both Old Boys halfback’s Barnes and Troy Lobendahn, who played a half each, organised play well and were dangerous with ball in hand, while Mikkelson’s pace and energy for University was a constant threat for the Old Boy’s defence.
Other premier division results
Melville 29 Morrinsville Sports 18
Hautapu 34 Te Rapa 14
Otorohanga 20 Hamilton Marist 16
Fraser-Tech 29 Te Awamutu Sports 13
