Waimea and Marist set for top of table clash
The stage is set for a showdown between the Stuff Tasman Trophy leaders Waimea and Marist – after a timely break for King’s Birthday Weekend.
Both teams had bonus point wins last Saturday to stay locked together at the top of the table on 31 points. After the break, Waimea will host Marist at Jubilee Park on June 7.
Defending champions Kahurangi also got back into the mix for a playoff spot, beating Central at Riwaka.
Marist 61 Stoke 19
The second half again proved bountiful for Marist with seven of their nine tries scored after the break, echoing their runaway win over Central the previous weekend.
Stoke were full of fizz in the opening 20 minutes to secure a 14-0 lead, with returning under-20 New Zealand hooker Eli Oudenryn grabbing both. The Marist forwards then realised they needed to get into their work and set the foundation for two tries in reply to go to half time at 14-all.
As against Central, the Marist backline showed plenty of pace and support play in the second half to give their supporters plenty to cheer about on Club Day.
For Marist, inside centre Timi Sauira was a standout in a backline where all played well while lock and captain Tom Thornalley again put in a big shift in a very good forward pack.
Waimea Old Boys 43 Nelson 35
Waimea coach Scott McKenzie said Nelson’s huge forward pack caused problems, particularly in the second half, but the key to the game was his team scoring just before and just after halftime.
He said winger Flynn Bainbridge had an outstanding game on defence, and No 6 Christian Ioane, in his second year at the club out of Christchurch’s St Bede’s College, nabbed two tries.
McKenzie said the break had come at a good time for his side, with a number of players carrying niggles. It would allow them to recover before the crunch Marist game.
“That’s going to be huge.”
Kahurangi 50 Central 14
In a re-run of last year’s final, champions Kahurangi came out on top to reignite its playoff hopes.
In front of a good home crowd at Cooks Reserve in Riwaka, Kahurangi started with a bang, racking up four tries in the first quarter.
Kahurangi coach Mike Wells said after going close against Marist and Waimea it was good to get a win that set the stage for a crucial match against Nelson after the King’s Birthday break.
Wells said No 10 Stu Crewden and halfback Bray Taumoefolau were standouts, along with New Zealand Sevens player Jack Gray who scored two long-range tries with his electric pace.
Gray will return to the sevens but Kahurangi will welcome another sevens star Andrew Knewstubb for the Nelson match.
Points: Marist, Waimea Old Boys 31; Nelson 20; Central 16; Kahurangi 13, Stoke 7.
- In the Stuff Tasman Trophy women’s competition, Waimea edged Marist 22-20 at Trafalgar Park, and leaders Kahurangi travelled to Marlborough and came away with a 66-5 win over Moutere.
By Warren Gamble, Nelson Mail
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