Tasman Trophy continues on high-scoring way
Waimea Old Boys have emerged with the honours at the halfway stage of the Stuff Tasman Trophy, but they lead by a solitary point from Marist, and the top four remains up for grabs.
The theme of the first round has been high-scoring encounters, and Saturday’s matches were no exception with the lowest points total being the 26 recorded by Nelson.
Kahurangi 29 Marist 43
Marist bounced back from a loss to Nelson the previous week with a strong performance at Sports Park Motueka against Kahurangi.
Kahurangi opened the scoring but Marist bounced back to lead 24-10 at half time. Kahurangi also got the last say to narrow the margin.
Marist coach Nic Smith said he was happy at how his side stuck to doing the basics right and building pressure and momentum. His standout player was first five Cooper Grant, back from training with the Highlanders squad. Number 8 Netani Baleisomosomo played with energy while full back Luke Kilworth continued his excellent form.
Marist now travel to Blenheim to take on Central who were impressive in their win over Nelson. The John Goodman Challenge Trophy will be on the line.
Central’s Quentin MacDonald runs with the ball during the Stuff Tasman Trophy rugby game against Nelson at Trafalgar Park.
Stoke 31 Waimea Old Boys 40
Waimea raced out to a 19-0 lead in the opening 15 minutes at Greenmeadows.
“Then we got lazy and went off the boil,” said Waimea coach Scott McKenzie.
It gave Stoke an opening, and the home side took advantage. They closed to within seven points in the second half before the competition leaders “got back to basics” and pulled away.
McKenzie said prop Tom Heywood had a blinder, with midfielders Sam Briggs and Hoani Herewini-Dygas and winger Flynn Bainbridge doing the damage in the backs.
McKenzie said the high-scoring games might be good to watch for the public “but not for coaches”.
Waimea take on Kahurangi at home at Jubilee Park this Saturday.
Nelson 26 Central 45
For the second week running, Central crossed the Whangamoas but this time the trip home was much sweeter.
After losing to Waimea the previous week, the Marlborough men took to Trafalgar Park with a simple game plan.
“We just wanted to play direct against a really tough, real fast Nelson team,” player coach Quentin MacDonald said.
“We had a real good first half, and they came out in the second and put us under pressure, but towards the end we took over a bit more, backing our set piece.”
For Central, prop Quinn Harrison Jones and 19-year-old former Auckland Grammar First XV product Peyton Yakas, at No 6, stood out in the forwards, while Leo Marfell, Ben Filipo and Clyde Paewai shone in the backs.
Central return home for their club day at Lansdowne Park and a crucial match against high-flying Marist on Saturday.
Points: Waimea Old Boys 22, Marist 21, Central 16, Nelson 14, Kahurangi 7, Stoke 7.
By Warren Gamble, Nelson Mail
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