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MARLBOROUGH RUGBY REVIEW RD8

With only a few rounds of the Bayleys Tasman Trophy remaining Waitohi have one hand on the trophy after they repelled another challenger on the weekend in the form of Kahurangi.

For most of the game the home side were in control and it was only late in the game when the scores narrowed slightly but Waitohi still ran out comfortable 36 points to 24 winners. Waitohi again held an edge at set piece time with their scrum dominant like it has been all season. Hulking number 8 Manu Mataele was outstanding for Waitohi and he was backed up by hooker Chris Goodyear and young loose head prop Bevan Moody.

At Renwick the home side felt the backlash from Wanderers who were coming off a loss to Central the previous week. Renwick tried hard all day but couldn’t stem the tide against the classy Wanderers team eventually being on the end of a cricket score 93 points to 7.

Harlequins stayed with Waimea Old Boys at Jubilee park in Richmond for the first half an hour but couldn’t sustain that effort against a potent Waimea backline for the whole eighty minutes. Waimea eventually galloped away in the second stanza running out 51 points to 19 victors. Best for the Quins was number 8 Vai Samasoni.

Moutere were put to sword by a slick Marist outfit at Trafalgar Park. Moutere were slightly under strength and just couldn’t stop Marist out wide as they showed their class. Flanker Mike Curry tried hard all day for Moutere and was their best on the day.

Two other matches were deferred after Nelson and Stoke couldn’t field teams against Central and Awatere respectively.

Report by
Martyn Vercoe, 
Commercial Manager, Marlborough
Tasman Makos Manager

A couple of familiar results over the weekend as two more Marlborough sides made unsuccessful journeys over the hill to play their Nelson Bays counterparts.

Harlequins travelled to Jubilee Park to take on a quietly building Waimea side who are starting to flex some ‘championship challenging’ muscle as consistent selection is starting to pay dividends. Waimea were brazen from the start, with their attacking flare only outshone by the great weather. Good strong forward contributions by Jeff Lepa, Pete Samu and Tevita Cavubati caused all sorts of problems for the Harlequins defence. Harlequins did show some glimpses of real strength with quick ruck and front foot ball, good enough to challenge any side. However Waimea were definitely the best on the day taking the encounter 51-19.

At Trafalgar Park Marist totally dominated the visiting Moutere side. The halves controlled the Marist machine with ease, both Shawn Begg and Jack Halpin making considerable contributions with line breaks and game sense. This Marist side is another showing championship potential with the team having some genuine game understanding and trust in what they are trying to achieve. Moutere did not stop trying with constant pressure with ball in hand only undone by some loose passing and kicking. The contest was over early and Marist cruised to their 72-5 winning margin.

Women’s tens rugby

The end of the first five weeks of Women’s tens rugby finished on Saturday with some impressive wins by home side Marist beating Stoke 69-0 and Riwaka 94-0. Waimea not to be outdone also complete their final game of the 10 rounds with a great win over an every improving Central side 64-0, Central completing the days contests with a 30-15 win over Riwaka.

The competition enters a full second round of 5 more weeks of tens, with the new Car Company Tasman Women’s 10-Aside Trophy to be presented after the final rounds on 19th July.

Report by:
Gary Stevens,
Development Officer Academy
Tasman Rugby Union