Charlie Brown Mid Canterbury Combined Rugby 2020. Photo suppliedA 14-man Mid Canterbury Combined was outclassed 12-54 by Timaru Boys’ High School in the UC Championships on Saturday.

An early red card left the visitors a man down, but the day had already started badly, with two players pulling out of the match before the bus departed Ashburton bound for Timaru.

In similar circumstances to their last trip to Timaru – a 12-13 loss to Roncalli Combined last month – the Spartans received an early red card when midfielder Mark Gabriel was sent off for striking after about 10 minutes, forcing his side to play a man down for 60 minutes.

Coach Shane Enright said that despite the setbacks his side dug deep and “probably played some of our best rugby”.

“Our new game plan worked well and had them a little confused – but again we got flanked on the outside a couple of times which allowed them a couple of simple tries,” Enright said.

Right on halftime the Spartans were hot on attack, only for Timaru Boys’ to snatch an intercept and go the length of the field to make it 22-0 at the break.

The Spartans kept on battling, but missed tackles and playing a man down saw Timaru extend their lead, before the visitors were rewarded with two late tries to Michael Hennings and Sam Ree.

Enright heaped praise on David Satui for an outstanding 70-minute shift in the front row, producing solid work in the set pieces, some strong carries and a few big tackles, while there were debuts for U16 players Angus Stewart and Joseph Fakataha.

Enright said the saddest part of the game was the injury to flanker Benny Middleton.

He suffered a broken hand, and initially did not want to come off, attempting to play through the pain until he was no longer able to catch the ball, Enright said.

With more injury concerns in the squad, Enright also said they were waiting to review footage of the incident leading to Gabriel’s red card to make a decision on what action to take.

Things don’t get any easier with the unbeaten St Andrew’s College coming to Ashburton in round 9 this weekend – with an 11am kickoff.

St Andrew’s is coming off a 43-5 demolition of Lincoln Combined.

By Jonathan Leask © The Ashburton Guardian - 11 August 2020