Upper Clutha’s premier rugby team (the Rams) maintained its unbeaten run in the Central Otago Premier Rugby Competition with a 22-8 win over Cromwell on Saturday (July 1).

The match concluded the round-robin competition phase and ensured the Rams retained the White Horse Cup for the second year in a row.

“It’s incredible to close out the round before we head into a separate [finals] campaign which obviously means a lot more,” Ram’s head coach Garry-John Hape said.

“Absolutely overwhelmed just with the smiles and how much it means to us.”

Cromwell threw everything at the Rams in an enterprising match at the Upper Clutha Rugby Club. The sides traded penalties in the first quarter before the Rams, benefiting from a steady breeze, added two tries to lead 15-3 at the break.

The highlight of the match came early in the second half when the Rams scored an exhilarating team try to extend their lead to 22-3, a decisive blow into the wind.

Cromwell dominated the later part of the match, using the breeze wisely and gaining ascendancy in the scrum. They were rewarded with a try in the 50th minute.

The Rams’ defensive effort was aggressive and well-organised however the team failed to protect the ball in contact providing Cromwell a wealth of turn-over possession. 

Rams centre Milan Martinovic was outstanding, defending solidly and proving elusive on attack. His pairing in midfield with second-five Oliver Stirling provided memorable defensive moments.

Loose forward Nick Inch relished an opportunity to play on the openside of the scrum and he was well supported by locks Blake Manning and Jack Colbourne.

As top seeds the Rams have secured a home semi-final this Saturday (July 8) at the Upper Clutha Rugby Club. They will face defending champions Wakatipu, a side they narrowly beat 31-27 in their last encounter.

The match will kick off at 2.30pm.

Points scorers:

Tries: Tamati Gurau-Renolds, Jack Colbourne, Tristan Taylor

Conversions: Brady Kingan (2)

Penalties: Brady Kingan

PHOTO: Steve McArthur