NPD Tasman Trophy Round 3 Wrap Up
The Car Company Nelson Bays Div 1
By JONTY DINE [Nelson App]
Waimea Old Boys remain unbeaten in the NPD Tasman Trophy after they defeated Marist 31-24 in dreary conditions at Jubilee Park today.
Marist came into the round three clash on the back of a solid victory over Wanderers and a heart-breaking one-point loss to Kahurangi in round one.
They were however, without their fullback and main attacking weapon, Jamie Spowart, who has been called up to the New Zealand U20 Squad.
Billy Guyton opened the scoring for the hosts with the first of his four penalty goals.
The match featured a battle of the blockbusters out wide in Erenimo Tau, who tops the season try scoring charts and Marist’s Isaac Laga.
It was the Waimea wing who struck first as Erenimo crashed over in the corner after just five minutes.
Young Marist fly half Taine Robinson brought his side back with two penalties before James Hawkey busted the Waimea midfield defence wide open and set Laga away for Marists’ first try.
Wamea’s scrum was dominant throughout, leading to several penalties and prime attacking position for the hosts just before the break.
Halfback Kaide Whiting made a sniping dart and went straight through some feeble fringe defence to put his side in front 23-11 at half-time.
Caleb Havili brought the visitors right back in the contest early in the second spell, barging his way over the chalk to bring Marist within five.
Then came the turning point, with Waimea hot on attack and looking certain to score, Sam Briggs committed a cynical deliberate knock down and was sent to the bin.
Waimea made the most of the one-man advantage and flanker Chris Mason drove over to give the home side a 10-point buffer.
The teams continued to trade penalties in the closing stages with Taine’s reliable boot bringing Marist within seven points with just two minutes to play.
However, a knock on in front of the posts by Marist handed Waimea the win.
Marist captain Tyler McKinnon-Stevenson says a slow start ultimately cost his side the points.
"We wanted to stick it to them today, but it just didn’t go our way.”
Tyler says Marist did not react as well as they should have to conditions and they will have plenty to work on during the week especially their scrummaging.
"They are a big issue for us, we got a real lesson today.”
Waimea Old Boys 31 (Erenimo Tau, Kaide Whiting, Chris Mason tries; Billy Guyton 4 pen, 3 con) Marist 24 (Isaac Laga, Caleb Havili tries; Taine Robinson 4 pen, con) HT: 23-11 WOB.
In other results, Nelson have also gone three from three to start the season after they beat Kahurangi 59-10 at Neale Park.
Stoke registered their first win of the Tasman Trophy with a 34-21 win over Wanderers.
Motorworld Marborough Div 1
By PETER JONES [Marlborough App]
Waitohi
and East Coast both scored their first wins of the 2018 Tasman Trophy division
one rugby competition today.
The
Tohis, who lost to Renwick in the first round and sat out a bye last week, got
up to edge out an unbeaten Moutere side 30-29 in Picton.
In
Seddon, East Coast pulled off a major upset, beating Central, who have yet to
win a game, 17-15.
Waitohi
made hard work of their victory at Endeavour Park, trailing the Magpies 19-6 at
halftime. First half touchdowns to forwards Jack Best, Mike Curry and Willie
McCormick, plus two Max Freydell conversions, put the home side firmly on the
back foot.
However,
some readjustment at halftime, plus the introduction of classy Mako first five
Tim O’Malley, immediately sparked a Waitohi revival. Tries to No 8 Taimi
Fangatau and hard-working tighthead prop George Tuineau saw the home side
snatch the lead 20-19 before Ben Finau touched down to push the Magpies back in
front. Fangatau’s second try restored Waitohi’s lead with 10 minutes to play,
however a runaway to Moutere winger Sebastian Sila gave the Magpies a two-point
advantage.
With
just a few minutes remaining Waitohi were awarded a penalty 40m out and Corey
Bovey, who kicked superbly from the tee, held his nerve and slammed it over to
cheer the home supporters plus clinch a valuable win.
Waitohi
30 (Taimi Fangatau 2, George Tuineau tries, Corey Bovey 3 pen, 3 con) Moutere
29 (Ben Finau, Willie McCormick, Mike Curry, Sebastian Sila, Jack Best tries,
Max Freydell two con). HT: 19-6 Moutere.
In
front of a sizeable crowd at the Seddon Domain, the home side also overturned a
decent halftime deficit to taste victory. Central led 12-0 at the break through
tries to Mitch Smith and Jone Lasiganibau, plus a Smith conversion.
However
the Coasters showed equal portions of spirit and skill in the second 40 to come
away with the four points. Tries to Fijian halfback Nen Ranuku, Heath Forsyth
and replacement Steve Crudis, along with a vital conversion by Bryce Bird, got
the job done. Flanker Sam Houston, lock Stu Campbell, centre Myles Hamilton,
Bird and Ranuku stood out for the home side. Young flanker Vailua Kaloni
impressed for the Blues, who have a lot of work to do if they are to reach the
semifinals of the sub-union competition.
East
Coast 17 (Nen Ranuku, Heath Forsyth, Steve Crudis tries, Bryce Bird con)
Central 15 (Mitch Smith, Jone Lasiganibau tries, Smith pen, con). HT: 12-0
Central
In
the Tasman women’s competition, Moutere continued their unbeaten run, beating
Marist 31-22 at Spring Creek.
