The Upper Clutha Premier rugby team (The Rams) secured a heart stopping 22-21 victory over the Cromwell Goats in the first round of the Central Otago Premier Rugby Competition on Saturday (April 23). 

It is the third time the sides have been separated by just one point in their last three matches including last year's grand final which Cromwell won 12-11.

“Man, how good,” Rams’ coach Garry-John Hape said.

“To put the work out in the first game of the season against the defending champs, I’m absolutely over the moon with the players, all the coaching staff, and our supporters.”

Playing in perfect conditions at Cromwell’s Anderson Park, the Rams trailed 19-21 deep into injury time (88th minute) when Cromwell were penalised for sealing off the ball as they played for the final whistle.

It was a case of deja-vu for Rams kicker Brady Kingan who missed a penalty in exactly the same spot in the last minute of the 2021 grand final. With the local crowd reminding him of that moment he calmly slotted the ball between the posts to set off a celebration worthy of a finals victory.

Earlier in the match a win looked unlikely as the Rams’ set piece struggled to deliver a platform for their talented backline to attack from.

Cromwell dominated possession in the first half, scoring two tries to the Rams’ one to lead 12-7 at the break. The lead would have been more but for the Rams’ impressive debutant wing Adam Breen chasing down a length of the field run following an intercept.

Defence was a feature of the Rams’ first 40 minutes, often catching Cromwell behind the gain line and stifling an attack that had a wealth of possession.

Cromwell extended its lead with a penalty in the 48th minute, but with an improved scrum the Rams began to exert pressure and when centre Sean Murray scampered through a gap for Adam Breen to score his first premiership try the travelling supporters found their voices.

A second penalty extended Cromwell’s lead 18-14 but it was the Rams making all the play late in the match. Adam Breen looked to have secured an unlikely win when he crossed for his second try in the 81st minute.

The last few minutes of the match were heart stopping. With the Rams leading 19-18 Cromwell kicked a long range penalty to take back the lead before Brady Kingan’s final act of the match.

Rams captain Lachie Garrick (lock) led by example, supported by loosie Jaiden McDonald. Centre Sean Murray was a standout in the backline and debutants Milan Martinovich (first-five) and Adam Breen impressed. 

The victory secured the White Horse Cup (Central Otago Rugby’s ‘Ranfurly Shield’) for the Rams which they will defend against Maniototo in Wānaka on Saturday April 30.

Rams point scorers:

Tries: J Drake, A Breen (2)

Conversions: B Kingan (2)

Penalties: B Kingan

In other matches:

Cromwell Cavaliers 5 Maniototo 17

Matakanui 7 Arrowtown 38

Wakatipu 61 Alexandra 19  

PHOTO: Wānaka App