Nelson claim NPD Tasman Trophy Premiership
Growing up as a kid in Dunedin I remember watching and playing many a rugby game when the ground was a field of mud. After a few minutes teams were unrecognisable and the game became a slog fest between the forwards while the backs struggled with the rain, wind and mud. I was a back and in most of these games the back three were struggling with hyperthermia and just wanted a hot shower.
Nelson crowned NPD Tasman Trophy Premiers
Wanderers claim Championship trophy
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Unfortunately the showpiece match of the 2018 season, the NPD Tasman Trophy Grand Final, revisited the past. On a field that was basically a mud heap, add driving rain and strong wind, we had a day made for the forwards. It was a shame because both Marist & Nelson had played a great brand of running and expansive rugby in 2018.
The Final promised to be a great advert for the quality of club rugby in the region, but this was impossible playing the game on Neale Park. We at the TRU will take the blame for the rules which stated (because of Trafalgar Park being unavailable) that the top qualifier would host the final. We tried throughout the week to move the match to a more suitable venue but failed. The rules are the rules, but it won’t happen ever again!
Unfortunately for the very large crowd who braved the conditions the game hardly became a contest as the Nelson forwards controlled the key moments of the game. This resulted in a penalty shootout and a penalty try to Nelson from a 5-metre scrum. I think this try will make a great question in time. Who scored the only try in 2018 Tasman Trophy GF? The referee Michael Lash, penalty try.
The 16-6 score line was a fair reflection of the game. The last memory was the performance of Ethan Blackadder who flew up on the morning of the match after Crusaders released him to play. It clearly illustrates how important the Tasman region is to Ethan and his beloved club. We had the Mako statistician inform us on Monday that Ethan carried the ball 40 times in the match.
Firstly, I must congratulate Nelson on the victory in their 150th year as a Rugby Club, and secondly. My compliments on the performance of the coaching group Kade Heke and Chris Pugh in their victory. I was impressed by the speeches of both captains Tyler McKinnon-Stevenson and Chris Kerslake at the after-match presentation where they thanked their team mates for the success through the season and, most importantly, acknowledged the the referees this year. Without this group we have no game.
I must make mention of Marist who have made two Finals in 2018. While there is no victory parade, to make two finals clearly indicates that coach Gavin Briggs is building a group for the future.
Congratulations to Wanderers and Central, who after both had terrible starts to the season, made the Championship final. Wanderers won the NPD Championship grand-final to gain 5th place. The efforts of the new coaching group led by Glenn Grant, and the growing leadership of captain Fletcher Mathews, capped a superb result for the club.
It is always good to look back at the season and here are some interesting comments from two great club rugby supporters, Fred Gear and Reece Forbes, who are always on the side-lines each weekend.
- Team Performances of the Year - Stoke and Waitohi winning the sub union finals.
- Best Game of the Year – The outstanding performance of Stoke with attacking rugby in the first half and resolute defence in the second half defeating Marist in Nelson Bays sub union final.
- Best Try - The Renwick centre Michael Veano against Stoke.
- Promising Player of the Year - Jamie Spowart, the Marist fullback who has speed and vision.
- Best Club Player - Even with limited game time, Ethan Blackadder by a country mile.
#FinzUp
Tony Lewis