Rugby: Inglewood close to first draw of the season

Inglewood came within touching distance of a draw against the form team in Taranaki premier club rugby but had to settle for a 24-22 loss to Clifton.

Heading into the round four clash, Clifton had established themselves as the competition’s form side with three straight wins, while Inglewood had one win from their opening three matches.

After a prolonged 20-minute period of attack inside Clifton’s half, Inglewood wing Dion Schrieber crossed in the corner right on fulltime.

But with a strong breeze sweeping across the ground, the conversion proved too difficult for Jamie Viljoen, who pushed it wide, denying the first draw of the season and leaving Inglewood with a two-point loss.

Earlier, Clifton had made a positive start, scoring within the opening 10 minutes.

They had extended their lead to 17-5 at halftime, executing well inside Inglewood’s 22.

Inglewood’s first half try had been scored by Viljoen, whose ability to find space had been a standout during the match.

He had crossed again early in the second half, the first of three tries after the break.

Elsewhere, New Plymouth Old Boys had produced a dominant second half comeback to beat United 52-12 at Stadium Taranaki.

Old Boys had trailed 12-5 at halftime but scored seven second half tries to claim their third consecutive win.

United had controlled much of the territory and possession in the first half, but Old Boys had been far more effective on attack in the second spell.

Fullback Jacob Hawkins had scored twice for Old Boys.

In Hāwera, Coastal used the wind to their advantage to beat Southern 21-7.

Playing with a strong breeze at their backs in the first half, Coastal had scored three converted tries.

Brothers Jerram and Jackson Sinclair had scored all of Coastal’s points, with Jerram grabbing two tries, while Jackson had scored one and kicked all three conversions.

Leading 21-0 at the break, Southern had tried to replicate the same approach, but conditions had proved too challenging.

With just one second half try to Southern’s Deegyn Eades in the corner, the match had slowed, with forwards dominating possession.

In the remaining match, Tukapa moved into third place with a 24-0 win over defending champions Stratford-Eltham.

After leading 5-0 at halftime in wet conditions, Tukapa had scored three second half tries, with Mason Porteous landing two conversions.

The result was Stratford-Eltham’s fourth consecutive loss.

In this week’s round, Inglewood host Tukapa under lights on Friday night at TET Stadium, while on Saturday Coastal host Old Boys in Rahotu, Clifton face United in Tikorangi, and Southern travel north to meet Stratford-Eltham at Victoria Park.

Kick off is at 2.45pm.

The points after four weeks: Clifton 20, Old Boys 16, Tukapa 13, Coastal 10, United 9, Inglewood 8, Southern 7, Stratford-Eltham 3.