North Otago: 1. Ralph Darling 2. Sam Sturgess 3. Kelepi Funaki 4. Charles Elton 5. Josh Clark 6. Cameron Rowland 7. Marcus Balchin 8. Junior Fakatoufifita 9. Robbie Smith 10. Michael Williams 11. Mathew Vocea 12. Samuel Tatupu 13. Lemi Masoe 14. Sione Kavatoe 15. Josh Phipps

Reserves: 16. Jake Greenslade 17. Robert Richardson 18. Josh Hayward 19. William Kirkwood 20. Jack Kelly 21. Ben McCarthy 22. Taina Tamou 23. Antonio Misiloi

easy win for the Penguins!

@Stargazer said in Canterbury v North Otago (Ranfurly Shield):

North Otago: 1. Ralph Darling 2. Sam Sturgess 3. Kelepi Funaki 4. Charles Elton 5. Josh Clark 6. Cameron Rowland 7. Marcus Balchin 8. Junior Fakatoufifita 9. Robbie Smith 10. Michael Williams 11. Mathew Vocea 12. Samuel Tatupu 13. Lemi Masoe 14. Sione Kavatoe 15. Josh Phipps

Reserves: 16. Jake Greenslade 17. Robert Richardson 18. Josh Hayward 19. William Kirkwood 20. Jack Kelly 21. Ben McCarthy 22. Taina Tamou 23. Antonio Misiloi

Pretty experienced side for an early season North Otago side. Lemi was around for Old Boys and North Otago when I was reporting on them in 2006-7, while Ralph and Robbie were at high school then and are now stalwarts. Josh Clark has been a loan player and local player on and off for years as well.

Pretty exciting team for Canterbury. I am eager to watch how promising youngsters like Williams, Newell, Gallagher and Darry will fare.

@Smudge Michael Williams looked a decent prospect. I recall he played pretty well in the semi last season.

North Otago are getting a bit of a towelling.

33-0 after 26mins.

I always think these first games will be closer but class is truly prevailing at the moment.

40-0 after 28mins

just lulling them into a false sense of security

@Kiwiwomble said in Canterbury v North Otago (Ranfurly Shield):

just lulling them into a false sense of security

Well it's working as they are looking pretty secure right now.

@Hooroo said in Canterbury v North Otago (Ranfurly Shield):

@Kiwiwomble said in Canterbury v North Otago (Ranfurly Shield):

just lulling them into a false sense of security

Well it's working as they are looking pretty secure right now.

good, all going to plan

Finally, the donut is gone!

@Stargazer here we go!

@Kiwiwomble The comeback is on!

But seriously, it's good to see that there's still some fight left in that North Otago squad with not much time left.

There's no end to this 80th minute ..

And there it is. FT: Canterbury 71 - 7 North Otago

Why can’t Canterbury take the game to Oamaru

@mikey07 IIRC, the Ranfurly Shield Defence against the Meads Cup winner is always a home game; and if there is a second challenge from a Heartland team, it's an away game for the RS holder. Because of Covid, this second game isn't played.

Edited to add that the home game doesn't have to be at the usual stadium/town. For example, Otago played 2018 Meads Cup winner Thames Valley in Wanaka, last year.

@Stargazer said in Canterbury v North Otago (Ranfurly Shield):

@mikey07 IIRC, the Ranfurly Shield Defence against the Meads Cup winner is always a home game; and if there is a second challenge from a Heartland team, it's an away game for the RS holder. Because of Covid, this second game isn't played.

Edited to add that the home game doesn't have to be at the usual stadium/town. For example, Otago played 2018 Meads Cup winner Thames Valley in Wanaka, last year.

Waikato did a Shield Challenge here in Matamata a few years back! Huge day

@Stargazer I remember last century 2000s when Wellington has it and we went to both Levin and Masterton.