News

The pointy end of the Senior Club rugby season is now upon us with semi-final berths decided. The matches this weekend are:

Waimea Combined Schools continued their debut season with an upset win over St Andrew’s College on Saturday. The Marlborough Boys' College 1st XV's hopes of contesting the UC rugby championship play-offs appear gone after they slipped to their fourth loss, 20-25 away to Rangiora High School on Saturday. Meanwhile Nelson College lost their opening match in the annual Quad tournament to Christ’s College in Christchurch on Monday.

In The Car Company Nelson Bays Div 1round, Waimea Old Boys are back in the frame for a semi-final spot after a last gasp win over Kahurangi. The outcome of Stoke v WOB this weekend will determine who joins Wanderers, Marist and Nelson in the semis.

Congratulations to Richmond Primary School who have won the Tasman regional Rippa Rugby competition, prevailing in a very close Final match against Hampden Street School. It is a great credit to the young players and their coaches as they will now contest the National Rippa Rugby Championship in Wellington in August.

It was a top weekend for our three 1st XV’s. Both Marlborough Boys College and Waimea Combined Schools enjoyed good wins, while Nelson College’s successfully defended the Moascar Cup on Trafalgar Park against St Andrews College.

In the Motorworld Marlborough Div 1 competition Central regained top spot on the ladder with a good win over Moutere. East Coast sprung another upset with victory over Harlequins in Seddon, while Renwick was no match for Waitohi,.

It was a week to remember for Tasman Rugby. The highlight had to be the Test debut for Liam Squire (All Black # 1151), our region’s first locally developed All Black from the Tasman Makos era. Liam enjoyed 25 minutes of quality rugby including strong carries and hard work at the breakdown. His performance was rewarded with excellent player ratings by the press, and very positive feedback from the men who count; the selectors. A bright future in black seems assured.

Nelson College travelled to Timaru from where they returned with the prestigious Moascar Cup. Marlborough hosted Christ’s College who were too good. Waimea Combined Schools had a bye.

In The Car Company Nelson Bays Div 1 round, Wanderers, playing with 14 men for all of the second half, were able to round up Marist late in an entertaining 27 – 24 victory. Stoke overcame Kahurangi 36 – 24 while Nelson scored 9 tries in a 53 – 3 win over Waimea Old Boys.

Nelson College created their own piece of history with a victory over Timaru Boys High School to secure the Moascar Cup. The Moascar Cup is the equivalent to the Ranfurly Shield when it comes to NZ secondary schools rugby.