Marist claim E’stel Tasman Trophy in thriller at Trafalgar
The Marist team celebrate their extra time win. Photo: Evan Barnes/Shuttersport
By Jonty Dine [Nelson App]
It took 180 minutes to separate the sides, but Marist eventually came out on top to claim the E’stel Tasman Trophy following a fierce final with Waimea Old Boys today.
The scoreboard read 29-all at full-time as Waimea first five Campbell Parata slotted a clutch penalty to send the sides into extra time.
It took a further 18 minutes before Marist skipper James Hawkey put his side in front with a penalty which proved enough as the green machine held on for a famous victory.
Hawkey was at a loss for words following the final whistle. “I’m so relieved, can’t believe we did it, faith was there and it’s a bloody good feeling.”
Marist dominated early territory and possession and the season’s top try scorer eventually cashed in.
A cheeky quick tap from Cleve Barrell saw the halfback dive over for his eleventh try of the season.
Meanwhile, the competitions leading point scorer Campbell Parata’s trusty boot put Waimea on the board.
Michael Stringer then went over to put his side in front for the first time following a blistering break down the blind.
A mistake inside its own 22 handed Waimea a second as Mitchell Amberger punished the mistake and brushed off some weak defence to go in under the bar.
Waimea looked certain to take a substantial half-time lead before Teu Sami struck for Marist to bring his side within six at the break.
Hawkey opened the scoring in the second with a penalty before Campbell responded in kind to re-establish the advantage.
Marist then took the lead back as the dangerous Lote Saulekaleka danced through the defence and crashed over.
Hawkey was unable to convert as Marist trauilled by one heading into the final 20.
The intensity went up ten-fold as Campbell stretched the lead to four with fatigue and injuries beginning to affect both sides.
Briggs then made a crucial mistake by overcooking a penalty kick for touch which would have put Marist hot on attack.
A tense final ten ensued with both sides throwing everything they had at their opponents.
The pressure would eventually prove too much as Barrell burrowed his way over for a second to give Marist the lead.
A truck-n-trailer call from referee Mike Lash gave Waimea a chance to seal things up at the death.
Campbell would square the scores with time up on the clock as the young fly-half nailed the penalty to send the sides to twenty minutes of extra time.
More drama unfolded as neither team could score in the first ten minutes of extra time.
Just as it seemed the final would be decided on a coin toss, Marist were awarded a penalty in kickable range as Hawkey stepped up to the tee.
The midfielder sent the ball sailing through the uprights as Marist managed to hold on for the final sixty seconds to claim the dramatic win.
Marist 32 (Cleve Barrell 2, Teu Sami, Lote Saulekaleka tries, James Hawkey 3 cons, 1 pen) v Waimea Old Boys 29 (Michael Stringer, Mitch Amberger tries, Campbell Parata 2 cons 3 pen)
In Car Company Nelson Bays Div 1 fixtures, Nelson overcame Kahurangi in a tight match on Trafalgar Park 13-19, while at Brightwater visiting Stoke won well by 38-7 over Wanderers.
Waitohi stage spectacular recovery
By Peter Jones [Marlborough App]
Waitohi first five eighth Corey Bovey says his decision to opt for a match-winning pot at goal late in his side’s division one rugby thriller against Renwick was made on the spur of the moment.
“The boys were rolling forward and I was thinking we should just keep that going - but then it got a bit static, going left to right, so I decided to have a crack at [a dropped goal] and thankfully it went over.
“I have landed a couple in my time but that was the best of the lot … you can’t beat that really, that’s why you play the game.”
Waitohi consolidated their hold on top spot in the sub-union standings with a 33-32 win at the Renwick Domain, coming home strongly after trailing by 16 points towards the end of the second spell.
Bovey was a key player in the match, guiding his side around the park expertly, plus landing 18 points from the boot.
He was quick to praise the character and ability of his opponents. “Renwick are way better than their position on the table, they played some good rugby out there and are a fit bunch.
“It was tough to come back from [16 points down], we had to dig deep. Week-in, week-out we have got about 16-17 players, and we have shown a lot of ticker … it’s amazing being a part of it, and this [win] probably tops the lot for the year.
“It’s the culture, everyone is held accountable and everyone just loves playing for Waitohi.”
The match was evenly poised at halftime, two tries to Renwick, from Josh Holdaway and Varani Komaisavai, and a Kurt Schollum penalty being balanced by 11 points to Bovey and a Taimi Fangaua touchdown.
Two superb long-range efforts straight after the break, created by elusive outside backs Falaula Fotu-Moala and Zac Harrison-Jones, plus a close-range effort by prop Quinn Harrison-Jones saw the Green Machine in front 32-16 and seemingly out of sight. However, they had not reckoned with Waitohi’s renowned spirit, led by Taine Cragg-Love, Fangatua, Dylan Burns, halfback Sosaia Tokai and prop Duane Aholelei.
Two tries, both converted, saw them trail by two before Bovey’s dropped goal sailed between the posts.
Renwick can be proud of their effort, a vast improvement on their early season performances. Holdaway, the Harrison-Jones brothers, Naisa Taufa and Cody Weir worked tirelessly up front while halfback Jan Hasenlechner, first five Dion Narayan and midfielder Kyle Marfell served an exciting backline well. No 8 Schollum put in some big hits and showed his skills in general play.
Saturday’s other division one match saw Central down Moutere 45-17 at Lansdowne Park.
The Blues dominated for the majority of the match, leading 24-7 at halftime and moving into second place on the standings, leapfrogging East Coast who sat out a bye.
Waitohi 33 (Taimi Fangatua 2, Duane Aholelei tries, Corey Bovey 3 pen, 3 con, dropped goal) Renwick 32 (Kyle Marfell, Josh Holdaway, Varani Komaisavai, Zac Harrison-Jones, Quinn Harrison-Jones tries, Kurt Schollum con, pen, Michael Dillon con). HT: 16-15 Waitohi
Central 45 (Peter Vakaloa 2, Braden Stewart, Francis Roebeck, Nigel Satherley, Timoci Tavatavanawai tries, Mitch Smith 6 con, pen) Moutere 17 (Ben Finau 2, Owen Ika tries, Max Freydell con). HT: 24-7.
Standings in the Marlborough sub-union competition: Waitohi 34, Central 29, East Coast 25, Renwick 13, Moutere 8.
Next week: Moutere v East Coast at Awarua Park; Central v Renwick at Lansdowne Park.
Women’s rugby
In keeping with a high-scoring weekend, the Moutere women’s team played out a 32-32 draw with Wanderers on Saturday.
Try scorers for Moutere were Alexa Fraser (2), Wairakau Greig (2), Pippa Andrews and Hannah Gillespie, who also landed their side’s only conversion.
In the other Tasman division one match, Waimea Old Boys downed Awatere 50-5.