Round 7 of the Goodyear Auckland Premier Rugby competition pitted the unbeaten Grammar TEC and the also only other unbeaten team Auckland University in a top-of-the-table clash at Orakei Domain. The magnitude of the match was heightened even more so on the Varsity side, as they celebrated two of the club’s oldest members and 2017 Gallaher Shield Champions; Jonny Neary and Tyrone Elkington.

The forecast for the day was stormy, wet, and windy conditions; thus, forcing the brain's trust from both sides to start contemplating contingency plans. Plenty of prayers were made for the storm to pass early, and there must have been a rugby god looking down on the day as thankfully, the sun came out and allowed for what was an exciting game of footy.

Varsity won the toss and chose to run into what was a strong wind, favouring Grammar TEC but pushing more towards the sideline than straight down the field. In the early stages, the teams were certainly feeling each other out through simple, direct carries, but it was Grammar TEC who would score the first try of the game against the run of play. Impressive young openside flanker Sam Hainsworth-Fa’aofo picked a Varsity pass from the ruck and sprinted 50m to go untouched underneath the sticks. Conversion successful, Grammar TEC up 7-nil.

Varsity seemingly began to control the tempo of the game with good ball security, a real work on for the side in the week leading up. After some nice team attack, skipper Te Ariki Te Puni hit the line at pace and broke off a slick Takaji Young Yen tip-pass and found lock Jonny Neary out wide who finished off a well-worked try. The visiting crowd erupted as 50-game veteran Neary crossed for a trademark try down the sideline. Unsuccessful conversion, G TEC 7 – Varsity 5.

Grammar TEC were next to score twice in quick succession. The first via a close-range penalty to G TEC10 Alex Ropeti and the other through yet another intercept, this time to winger Burn Mills who latched onto a wide Varsity pass to run 70m untouched to push GTec’s lead to 15 – 5 with 15 minutes left to play in the half. Composure and confidence were still high under the Varsity posts as they had been playing most of the rugby, only for a couple of intercept tries to keep GTec in the game.

Varsity replied to GTEC’s little flurry through a long-range penalty to Elkington into the breeze to cut the lead to 7 points. In the final act of the first half, Kalin Felise broke straight through the middle of the GTec defence and bamboozled the 15 with a show and go to score to the right of the posts. Elkington successful with the conversion to level it up at half-time.

HALF TIME: VARSITY 15 – GTEC 15

The vibe in the Varsity camp was rather relaxed and focused as they knew they would head into the second half with a considerable breeze at their back, but the job was far from done. Fortunately, Varsity was the first side to score points after the break, halfback Henry Saker crashing his way over the line from a 5m scrum, Number 8 Uini Fetalaiga drew in the would-be tacklers to put Saker away. Conversion successful, Varsity 22 – G TEC 15.

Varsity would continue to mount pressure on G TEC and dominate territory through the boots of Saker, Elkington and Aitken. The boys in blue opting not to mess around within their half and looking to put the ball in behind the much bigger G TEC forward. Varsity had the chance to extend the lead on two occasions, but the usual reliable boot of Elkington went astray twice from handy angles. Fortunately, he made amends on the third attempt from 30m out in front to take the score to 25 – 15 to Varsity. This would eventually be the final score, and credit to the Varsity team, who over previous weeks have leaked a few too many tries in the final 10 minutes, kept a valiant G TEC side scoreless in the second half.

FULL TIME: VARSITY 25 – GTEC 15.

Ironically, the 50-game pairing of Neary and Elkington took the coaching staff’s player of the day honours; Neary was a colossal force at lineout time and equally as damaging in the wide channels, Elkington’s boot kept the ball in front of the Varsity forwards for most of the game. Varsity forwards Te Ariki Te Puni, Kalin Felise, and Uini Fetalaiga were all-powerful with the ball in hand and tireless on defence. Halfback Saker controlled the tempo of the game well. Winger Noah Foster chased well and put in some well-timed shots on the GTec back 3. Varsity welcomed back Blues Under 20’s players Will Bason and Liam Brady, who both put out solid outings after 4 weeks away from the side

Varsity’s next challenge is against Papatoetoe at Colin Maiden Park. A large crowd is expected on ‘Ladies Day' at the club and Varsity will be preparing for another physical encounter against a Papatoetoe team hungry to knock Varsity over for the first time in 2022.

Article added: Tuesday 14 June 2022