Mid Canterbury Combined lock Alex Barnaby makes a run during the side’s UC Championship clash with Rangiora High School in Ashburton at the weekend. Photo Robyn HoodToo big, too fast.

It was a simple numbers game at Ashburton College as Rangiora High School’s 1st XV romped home with 12 tries against Mid Canterbury Combined on Saturday.

A year is a long time in schoolboy rugby and Rangiora certainly had the bulk advantage in its 70-0 demolition over Combined who are predominantly made up of Year 11 and 12 pupils.

As a result, the side were overpowered up front and forced to defend for much of the game against Rangiora’s size and speed.

It allowed Rangiora’s back three to run riot as they recorded seven tries between them with imposing centre Elone Fungavaka adding a brace.

Even Combined’s set piece was rendered powerless as the side struggled to retain its own ball at scrum time.

The effort cannot be faulted for Combined with the side willing to roll its sleeves up against older and bigger teams and will be all the better for this season heading into 2021.

However, it’s the period after halftime where the heads dropped and the floodgates opened.

Rangiora were kept to 26-0 at halftime, courtesy of four first half tries from the visitors.

No. 8 Will Riley scored after six minutes after Combined’s feed was overpowered.

Combined curiously opted to go for touch from about 25 metres out, however Rangiora were equal to Combined’s drive after a throw to the front,

Another opportunity for points from close range was overlooked a few minutes later with Combined preferring to keep ball in hand, ending in a turnover.

Combined continued to scramble well on defence as Rangiora ate up the metres in contact.

Wing Oscar Burnley scored the first of his three tries after 17 minutes – a simple draw and pass after another incisive run from Fungavaka.

Fellow flyer Taylor Ellis added to the tally several minutes later to cap a high octane end-to-end sequence of play where Combined were also in contention for a try of its own.

Rangiora were eager on defence, pressing the offside line hard on occasion, resulting in a handful of penalties to Combined which kept them in the hunt.

Ellis added a second on the stroke of halftime, on the end of superior numbers after further front-foot ball.

The period after the interval saw Rangiora go up a gear as the possession and territory equation began to take its toll.

Burnley scored his second after another one against the feed in centre field before he set up Fungavaka for a try which knocked the stuffing out of Combined.

Fullback Tama Nicholas, who had been threatening all game when introduced into the line, added two tries before Burnley completed his hat-trick. Tries also went to Andrew Prain, Jayden Simmons and a second for Fungavaka completed the affair.

The 70 point win puts Rangiora fifth on the UC Championship standings, with Combined and this weekend’s opponents, Lincoln, making up the bottom two.

Although they had little ball, Combined were typically spirited when they did have chances.

Charlie Brown continues to impress at the back despite limited opportunities and fearless first five Thomas Patterson is a composed head running the cutter.

By Adam Burns © The Ashburton Guardian - 14 July 2020