Glenmark Cheviot return to the top with Luisetti Seeds Combined Country Title

Glenmark Cheviot secured the Luisetti Seeds Combined Country title over the weekend, defeating Saracens 15-26 in an enthralling final at Southbrook.

The return to the top for Glenmark Cheviot sees the club secure it’s fifth Combined title, following successes in 2008, ‘09, ‘10 and ‘19.

While Saturday provided a cold and dreary day, both Glenmark Cheviot and Saracens brought the heat out on the pitch, in a match that had spectators on the edge of their seats throughout the game.

Despite both teams looking nervy to begin the game, the opening 10 minutes saw both teams chalk up points, with Glenmark Cheviot earning themselves an early 7-3 lead through the try of Matthew Jensen, who cut his way through the Saracens defence off the back of a lineout.

The game continued in arm wrestle fashion throughout the first stanza before the hard work of Glenmark Cheviot’s halfback Jordan Gray to charge down Saracen’s clearing kick and to then regather and score allowed the visitors early breathing room and provided momentum for the remainder of the first half.

It was momentum that then allowed Glenmark Cheviot to score again towards the end of the first half, with a try to Nicholas Hyde in the 38th minute seeing them lead 21-3 at the break.

Finding themselves down by a large margin at half time, a lot can be said for the resilience of Saracens in the second half, who through trys to Brett Hancox and Alex Kennedy, gave themselves a chance at a second half comeback, with the score carefully poised at 15-21 with minutes to play.

However, a late 77th minute try to Glenmark Cheviot replacement Angus Gibb secured the result for his side, ensuring the title would reside further north on State Highway 1.

For Head Coach Charlie Douglas-Clifford, Saturday’s result was particularly pleasing through the manner in which his side secured victory, with his forwards putting themselves “into dark places” to secure the result.

“We were fortunate enough to capitalise on a couple of opportunities but we managed to put in some really hard work on defence that starved them of their chances” said Douglas-Clifford.

“That’s finals footy, you’ve got to take those opportunities when they present themselves to you and we managed to man up and hold Saracens out.”

Alongside other coaches Tim Loughnan and Justin Thomson, the win on Saturday follows a successful move up from coaching the club’s Division 2 side, securing silverware at the Division 1 level at the first time of asking.

“We set this goal at the start of the season.” Douglas-Clifford said. “This year provided the opportunity for a new coaching team to bring a new culture. It was really pleasing for the club to get this result and it’s all part of a journey we have been enjoying along the way.”

Focus for Douglas-Clifford and the Glenmark Cheviot side now turns to repeating the feat in the North Canterbury competition, where they find themselves second, unbeaten after three rounds.