The Upper Clutha premier rugby team (The Rams) lost its semi-final match against Arrowtown 24-18 in Wanaka last Saturday (August 15).

In a game played in perfect conditions, the Rams lost some home ground advantage with level two COVID-19 restricting crowd numbers. It was support the Rams could have done with as it struggled against a well organised and physical Arrowtown side.

The Rams players failed to execute their up tempo game plan with poor option-taking and errors costing them at vital times. 

Arrowtown signalled its intentions with a tighthead from the first scrum of the match when the pack pushed the Rams off the ball. Uncharacteristically, it was the Arrowtown lineout which was its weakness; had the team had that under control the score may have blown out further.

The Rams had the better of early exchanges and was rewarded with a Brodie Flannery penalty, however the loss of star forward Brendan Murdoch in the 17th minute was a blow to the Rams chances of parity up front.

From that moment Arrowtown began to dominate possession and territory and was on the board shortly after with a well executed converted try to take the lead 3-7.

The Rams responded when an Arrowtown lineout went astray and loose forward Sam Calder made one of his trademark runs before lock Lachie Garrick scored in the corner, 8-7.

Arrowtown had been building pressure and finished the half with two further tries, the first from a Rams error inside their 22 and the second through a scrum penalty when Arrowtown scored with a play from the ensuing lineout.

Half time: 8-19.

The Rams looked to increase the tempo of the match in the second half, turning down kickable penalties. Centre Tyler Ford got the Rams back into the match when he slipped through a gap to put wing Luke Grant away. Tyler was on hand to receive the inside pass to score. The try was unconverted, 13-19.

Despite being just six points adrift the Rams continued to give up handy penalties but could not breach Arrowtown’s defence. 

The Rams did score through wing Luke Grant on the full-time whistle but it was too late after Arrowtown extended its lead with the try of the match in the 70th minute.

“We struggled with the set phase and I felt we blew some tries. I gave them the freedom to chance their arm,” Rams head coach Paul Glynn said.

“There were times we played well and attacked well, but you can’t take anything away from that Arrowtown pack, in fact the whole Arrowtown side played really well.”

The Rams needed perfect execution of its game plan to have any chance of making the final, a task made difficult due to the pressure Arrowtown exerted throughout the match.

For the Rams, open side flanker Sam Calder toiled well, and centre Tyler Ford and fullback Henry Schikker looked dangerous but had too few opportunities.

It was an inexperienced Rams side this season with a number of new players exposed to senior rugby which will provide a solid foundation for the club in the coming years.

The final of the Central Otago Premier Rugby competition will see Cromwell take on Arrowtown in Cromwell this Saturday. Kick off 2.30pm.

Points

Tries: Lachie Garrick, Luke Grant, Tyler Ford

Conversions: (0/3)

Penalties: Brodie Flannery (1/2)

Other semi-final

Cromwell 56 Wakatipu 24

PHOTO: Wanaka App