News

It's 40 years since the greatest upset in the Ranfurly Shield's romantic age but the rugby reveries still burn brightly for Marlborough's marauders.

Captain fantastic Ray Sutherland, now 72, and his Red Devils band - now in their 60s - will gather in Blenheim next month to toast the time - July 28, 1973 - when they lifted the Log O' Wood from a Canterbury side led by the legendary Alex Wyllie, Fergie McCormick and Tane Norton.

Central 18 - Moutere 10.
Waimea Old Boys 51 - Wanderers 22.

Taylors Contracting Wanderers will take on a Star and Garter Waimea side that has 12 titles titles to its name, the last won in 2002.

Premier grand final: Biddy Kates Central v Moutere (2.50pm kickoff).

CENTRAL: Sam Aolele, Anton Tiumalu, Jake Cresswell, Onolevu Temo, Willie Umu, Gareth Smith, Willie Alaiasa, Kaleni Taetuli, Adam Goldsworthy, Reyne Volavola (c), Dan Crockett, Jeremy Foley, Riley Luke, Quentin MacDonald, John Pale. Subs: Johnny Tiueti, Tupo Sau, Charlie Shuttleworth, Matt Gibson, Wayne Young, Simi Volavola, Daniel van Waas. Coach: Tony Katting.

MOUTERE: Noah Taio, Benji Keenan (c), Chris Ranstead, Noah Waaka, Regan Marshall, Grant Coles, Ben Smith, Baxter Wilson, Haven Walsh, Brigham Hart, Willie McCormick, Warwick de Waal, Phil Paparella, Francis Smith, Lockie McCormick. Subs: Jordan Hart, Zeb Muraahi, Kaleb Avery, Luke Scott, Andrew Purua, Malcolm Tairea, John Tavares. Coaches: Dave McCormick and Laurin Gane.

Three members of the McCormick family are involved in the Magpies' title quest: Marlborough Rugby Sub Union chairman Dave is the team's co-coach while sons Willie and Lochie are in the Moutere starting XV.

A former Moutere player himself, Dave said it was special to have three members of the family involved and felt that the team was more than ready for the challenge.

"It is quite special. We have just all come together at the right time . . . it has worked out well.

Nelson College headmaster Gary O'Shea has pledged to reduce the workload of the First XV by advocating to move the annual quadrangular tournament to pre-season, but he believes schoolboy rugby is becoming too much like professional sport.

Tasman players included:

Crusaders camp - Atu Moli, Sekope Lopeti, Braden Stewart, Curtis Pederson-Line (Marlborough Boys' College), Tom Hill, Mitchell Hunt, Jacob Whittaker, Te Puoho Stephens, Finn Hart-Strawbridge, Brendan Asomua-Goodman (Nelson College), Sam Liebezeit, Fletcher Mathews, Dan McLachlan, Tim Coman (Waimea College).

Cantabrian camp - Quinten Strange, Turoa Stephens, Reece Fuller (Nelson College), Adam Smith (MBC).

Wanderers 26 (Kerehama Barrett, Steve Soper tries, Jesse Pitman 4 pens, 2 cons) Nelson 18 (Mitchell Scott 2 tries, James Lash 2 pens, con) HT 14-18.

WOB 33 (Connor Trathen, Dale Russ, Billy Guyton, Kaide Whiting tries, Guyton 3 pens, 2 cons) Kahurangi 8 (Brenton Krammer try, Mike Wells pen) HT 14-3.

SEMIFINAL WRAP

Moutere 25 (Baxter Wilson try, Noah Taio con, 6 pen) Waitohi 16 (Hayden Gaudin try, Mike Hillgrove con, 3 pen). Halftime: 10-all.

Central 65 (Jake Cresswell 3, Sam Aolele 2, Anton Tiumalu 2, Quentin MacDonald, Kaleni Taetuli tries, Gareth Smith 7 con, 2 pen) Harlequins 12 (Pierre Vienings, Richard Harris tries, Matt Duggan con). Halftime: 51-7.

Car Company Nelson Bays Squad for Seddon Shield named.

Coaches/ selectors Mike Fraser, Dan Perrin & Sam Gibbens have named the following squad to prepare for the Seddon Shield defence against Marlborough on Sunday 4th August. The game is scheduled for a 3.15 kick off after the Makos pre-season game against Otago.


CRAIG MOORE, SILA POUIFISI, MITCHELL THWAITES, TYLER KEARNS, CHRISTIAN TUPOULA, JEROME VAAI, BEN COMAN, BEN DOUGLAS, MICHAEL CURRY; JARRED ABERHART, SILILO SEVEA; DANIEL HYTONGUE; NUI TAUFA; LOA HAVILI; HANA CORBETT BURROWS.
DAN SMART; LOUI HARVEY; JAMES LASH; KEREHAMA BARRETT; DAVID HAVILI, TRAEL JOASS; JESSE RUSH; SIONE HOLANI ; TEMA FAIFUA; RYAN SETEFANO ; MARTY BANKS