NPD Tasman Trophy Round 4 Wrap
BY PETER JONES [Marlborough App]
East Coast showed their win over Central last weekend was no fluke by tipping over the unbeaten Renwick side in the NPD Tasman Trophy division one rugby competition today.
The Coasters displayed an ability to stick to their game plan while applying maximum pressure on the home side to come away with a 37-19 win at the Renwick Domain. The final score was inflated by a last-minute penalty try to the Coasters, but they certainly deserved their victory.
Leading the visitors around the paddock astutely was former Fijian halfback Nemia Ranuku, who has played in two World Cups. He distributed well and organised his troops shrewdly from the base of the breakdown.
Among East Coast’s many heroes were front rowers Seymour Lambert and Billy Collins, both of whom scored tries and led the forward charges, along with Jordan Judge, Stu Crudis and the impressive Sam Houston.
Fullback Glen Ballam, replacement winger Kavekini Tabu and midfielder Michael Vaeno did their best to spark Renwick into action but too much dropped ball and poor decisions, coupled with a defiant East Coast defence conspired to frustrate them.
Sam White, Ti’i Paulo, Josh Holdaway and Quinn Harrison-Jones toiled hard up front for the Green Machine.
East Coast 37 (Sam Houston, Myles Hamilton, Billy Collins, Seymour Lambert, penalty try, Hamilton pen, Heath Forsyth pen, 2 con) v Renwick 19 (Atu Taufa, Quinn Harrison-Jones, Josh Holdaway tries, Kurt Schollum 2 con). HT: 22-19
In the other match played in Marlborough, Waitohi got up in the last minute to score a 35-30 win over the luckless Central, who slumped to their fourth defeat and look to have dropped out of Motorworld Marlborough sub-union semi-final contention.
The Blues led the game at Endeavour Park 30-28 going into the final minutes before Waitohi No 8 Taimi Fangatua burst clear to dot down the winning try. Corey Bovey completed the scoring with his fifth conversion.
Waitohi 35 (Taimi Fangatua, Vake Makoni, Fetuli Paea, Stefan Roguski, Ray Niuia tries, Corey Bovey 5 cons) v Central 30 (Ra Tamati, Fo'ou Tuieti, Nigel Satherley, Robbie Malneek tries, Mitch Smith 2 pen, 2 con). HT: 14-8 Waitohi.
BY JONTY DINE [Nelson App]
Marist have sent shock waves through NPD Tasman Trophy competition after upsetting Nelson 20-17 at Neale Park today.
After three comfortable victories, the unbeaten Nelson faced their toughest task to date as they met Marist in what was a see-sawing slug-fest.
The visitors opened the scoring through the boot of Taine Robinson as both teams played cautious footy in the opening exchanges.
Nelson hooker Brendon Asomua-Goodman butchered a golden opportunity to score under the bar after busting the Marist defence open but spilt the pill with the line in sight.
Willy Havili made up for the blemish soon after, slicing through untouched and converting his own try to take a 7-3 lead.
Willy enjoyed a wealth of early possession and began to dictate the game, chipping a pinpoint cross kick to lock Willis Scott who leapt over Marist winger Matt Stevenson to score Nelson’s second and take a 12-3 lead at half time.
Marist started strongly in the second, Isaac Laga streaking down the left-hand flank to bring his side within four.
In a reversal of fortunes, Marist had all the share of territory in the second half as they hammered away at the Nelson defence.
The green machine soon hit the front after replacement Cleve Barrell carried three Nelson defenders over the line.
Momentum once again shifted, and Nelson’s forwards started to impose themselves on a tiring Marist defence, Kershaw Sykes-Martin barging his way over from close range to put his side back in front to the relief of the home fans.
However, another twist was to follow soon after.
After a sustained period of attack, Marist again reclaimed the lead after centre Liam Boshoff scored under the put his side ahead 20-17 with just over five to play.
Marist managed to retain possession in the final minute and hold on to cause the first major upset of the season.
Marist captain Tyler says the win proves they can beat anyone on their day. "We are ecstatic, the boys are pumped after that."
Nelson coach Kade Heke says he was disappointed with the loss. "Marist just didn't let us settle and we didn't really fire a shot today."
Marist 20 (Isaac Laga, Cleve Barrell, Liam Boshoff tries, James Hawkey 1 con, Taine Robinson 1 pen) v Nelson 17 (Willy Havili, Willis Scott, Kershaw Sykes-Martin tries, Havili 1 con)
In other results, Waimea Old Boys remain the only unbeaten side in the Nelson sub union competition after beating Wanderers 25-3 at Brightwater.
Stoke registered their second win of the season, defeating Kahurangi 29-19 at Greenmeadows.
