The resurgent Reefton club hosted a successful Kawatiri 10’s event and last weekend we kick started the Westreef Services Senior competition with two exceptional games.

We are all looking forward to the Junior season commencing shortly with the Festival Day set for May 1st. After an interrupted season last year, things are certainly in full swing now. Read on further to hear how the season has started and what is in store.

Cheers
Andrew – Buller Rugby

NZ DATA GOLDEN OLDIES
This event keeps growing and getting better every year. We were delighted with the spirit the event was held in and the rugby on display was both entertaining and enjoyable to watch. The visiting teams made the most of the weekend by attending the Westport Trots on the Friday evening.

Our thanks to Johnny Reedy and the Trotting club committee for their support. The Westport RFC again put on a bumper of an evening with live music, a hearty feed and plenty of liquid to replenish the dehydrated bodies. A final big thanks to NZ Data who were our major sponsor and ensured this event was free of charge for teams to enter. We look forward to the 2022 instalment and more rugby, racing and thirst-quenching drinks.

REEFTON HOST KAWATIRI 10’s
The Reefton club played host to the fourth running of the Kawatiri 10’s and boy did they turn it on. Excellent weather conditions, great grounds and top quality hospitality!

On the field, it was the boys from the Valley Stags who walked away with the chocolates after clinching a tough win in the final against a young, yet impressive White Star side. It was a great pre-season hit out for the teams before they embark on their respective club seasons. Our thanks to the Reefton Club and Wilson’s Hotel for their awesome work!

SENIOR RUGBY OFF TO A FLYER
Anyone who turned up to either Reefton or Craddock Park last weekend was treated to an excellent afternoon of senior club rugby as the Westreef Services Senior Competition kicked-off. There was a sense of anticipation in the air at the Rosco Contractors ground in Reefton for the home side as they played their first competition game in five years. Down 19-3 to the defending champions Westport at halftime, the Reefton Rangers then applied some pressure and made a great fist of things in the second half to almost secure a come-from-behind victory, narrowly going down 19-15.

At Craddock Park, last season’s runners-up Old Boys needed all 80 minutes to overcome a gallant White Star side, recording a 20-18 victory with a late penalty goal. There were lead changes throughout the tight tussle in what was a great game of rugby to open the season.

If round 1 is anything to go by, it is going to be a tight contest in 2021.

JAB FESTIVAL DAY
Junior rugby teams have started their preparation for the season as they look forward to getting underway after the school holidays.

On May 1^st, the Buller Rugby Union will be holding a Festival Day to start the season with all clubs encouraged to bring along their marquees and enjoy the days festivities. All grades will be in action, with small-sided games.

ESL ACADEMY ATTRACT TOP QUALITY COACHES
Buller Rugby have been fortunate over the early part of the season to have some excellent resource coaches in the Buller to pass on their wisdom to our players.

Former Mako and Buller representative Jesse Pitman-Joass ran a skills and fitness session whilst All Black and current Crusader Mitchell Drummond conducted an interactive passing a kicking session. In the past couple of weeks, former Crusader Tii Paulo ran a scrum and lineout session for forwards across teenage and senior rugby.