Some of the region’s brightest league talent have capped the season off in style.

The Southern Zone Scorpions came from behind to edge the New Zealand Universities and Tertiary Students side 28-24 in Christchurch last weekend in a fluctuating clash.

It was the performance however of one of the Ashburton Barbarians involved which reportedly received special praise from Scorpions’ coaching staff.

Three players from the Barbarians, Ioili “Joel” Leo, Isireli Masiwini and Lima Savaiinae, were selected for the Scorpions squad for the matchup which included a total of six from the Aoraki Eels.

In a match report shared on the Barbarians’ Facebook page, coach David Reedy singled out Ashburton front-rower Leo as his side’s best on the day, despite being set to come off the pine.

“He was set down to be originally on the bench, but because our player who was set down to start, was running late to get to the venue, Joel began and played for a full 80 minutes, and then did something like 42 tackles.”

Leo got on the scoresheet by dotting down for one of the Scorpions’ six tries of the day.

Savaiinae also kicked a goal to round out the Mid Canterbury point scoring contributions.

The Scorpions led 14-12 at halftime with the lead changing a total of five times throughout the 80 minutes.

A late try to Southern and Otago wing Piliu Toivake proved to be the difference, as the Scorpions completed a four-point win.

Southern Zone Scorpions Men’s 28 – NZ Universities and Tertiary Students 24

Scorpions: Piliu Tavake, Siona Fa’aoso, Tofutuimoana Solia, Mackenzie Haugh, Joel Leo and Malili Foalu tries, Lima Savaiinae and Mackenzie Haugh goals.

© The Ashburton Guardian - 13 November 2020