NPD Tasman Trophy Round 8 Match Reports
BY JONTY DINE [Nelson App]
Marist still sit second on the NPD Tasman Trophy table after failing to take a bonus point in their 21-10 win over East Coast today.
A scoreless second half left coach Gavin Briggs frustrated and ruing lost opportunities, as Marist couldn’t convert their chance to leapfrog Nelson. A kicking duel ensued early at Tahunanui Field, Marist eventually winning the battle thanks to the prodigious punt of fullback Cleve Barrell.
The visitors were sloppy at set piece, putting two early line out throws astray and handing Marist early territory.
Marist had the first chance for points but second five James Hawkey pushed a regulation penalty attempt just wide.
A strong run by skipper Tyler McKinnon-Stevenson set them on attack again as Marist made all the early running, but their hands were letting them down.
Marist eventually broke their bagel after turning down another shot at three and opting for the corner.
After an untidy throw to the line out, flanker Kasima Sami cleaned up for the green machine before the backs shifted it to Barrell who found himself in space and powered his way over.
Hawkey nailed a difficult corner conversion for a 7-0 lead.
Coast got themselves on the board through a penalty goal to Nicholas Herreros, but Marist continued to dominate both territory and possession.
Lock Caleb Havili had an immense game, picking off pilfers, producing bone rattling tackles and was Marist’s top meter eater.
The green machine scored their second on the back of a superb break by winger Richard Tau’alupe who left several East Coast defenders in his wake.
Coast had their moments in the first forty but struggled to convert their opportunities into points.
Livewire scrum half Cayden Edwards has a stellar first half, his break from the base putting Marist in range as number eight Te Puoho Stephens dotted down for their third.
It would be Cayden’s final act of the game, coming off the field with a shoulder injury, Barrell moving into half back. His opposite Nemia Ranuku then put East Coast on the board, burrowing his way under the fringe defence just before the break.
Rain began to fall at the resumption second forty.
Marist kept Coast camped inside their own 22 for the majority of the second half but were unable to crack the line.
East Coast defended bravely to deny Marist a crucial try scoring bonus point and force the hosts into numerous errors.
Marist eventually took a shot at goal after several waves broke down, a credit to Coast’s efforts on defence, Hawkey hitting the uprights.
Both sides rung the changes as the games structure fell away badly, frustrations almost boiling over into blows in the final minutes.
Marist had a final shot at their bonus point with an attacking lineout, but the ball was lost into touch as Dave Woodhouse called curtains on a dour half of rugby.
Gavin says while he will take the win, he wasn’t too pleased with the lack of patience his side showed at times.
"It was pretty boring to watch in the second half, we started off positively, but we lost shape a bit.”
The Marist coach says the bye couldn’t have come at a better time next week.
"She’s a tough old campaign and we have a few niggles, so we will rebuild for Central in two weeks’ time.”
Gavin says it would have been nice to get the bonus point, but his team are "still in the dog fight.”
Marist 21 (Barrell, Stephens, Tau’alupe tries, Hawkey 3 cons) v East Coast 10 (Ranuku tries, Herreros 1 con, 1 pen)
In other results, Waitohi travelled to Brightwater to take on a rebuilding Wanderers side, the hosts upsetting the ‘Tohis 26-24 in a thriller.
The weekend’s game of the round saw the leading Marlborough Sub Union team, Renwick, host Kahurangi at the Renwick Domain as the hosts defended the John Goodman Challenge Trophy for the very first time.
Renwick held onto the trophy after a 40-26 win.
Fresh from the bye last weekend, Waimea Old Boys went down to Central 31-27 at Jubilee Park.
The rounds final game saw competition leaders Nelson travel over the hill to take on Moutere. Nelson remain at the top of the table after a 33-18 win.
Wanderers
26 (Sam Liebezeit, Jayden Woolley, Fletcher Matthews, Sean King tries; Woolley
3 con) Waitohi 24 (Taimi Fangatua, Taine Craig-Love, Tim O’Malley tries;
O’Malley 3 con, pen). HT: 14-10 Wanderers
Renwick
40 (Michael Vaeno 2, Ula Moala, Kavekini Tabu, Todd Nicholas, Atu Taufa tries;
Kurt Schollum 5 con) Kahurangi 26 (Qori Gucake, Stein Schrieber, Kieran
Hill, Conor Kerins tries; Kieran Hill 3 con). HT: 19-14 Renwick
Waimea
Old Boys 27 (Alex Coventry 2, Dan Hytongue, Max Fraine, Erenimo Tau tries;
Chris King con) Central 31 (Peter Vakaloa, Francis Roebeck, Robbie Malneek,
David Fotu tries; Ra Tamati 4 con, pen). HT: 14-10 Central
Moutere
18 v Nelson 33 (Isaiah Miller 3, Willy Havili, Tom Eelman tries, Havili 2
con, Matthew Soper 2 con). HT: 12-8 Nelson
Standings: Nelson 32 *, Marist 31 *,
Waimea OB 26, Renwick 25, Stoke 22, Waitohi 17, East Coast 16, Central 16,
Moutere 12, Kahurangi 12 *, Wanderers 11. * Teams still to have a bye.
Saturday’s draw (home teams first): Nelson
v East Coast, Wanderers v Central, Waimea OB v Waitohi, Stoke v Renwick,
Kahurangi v Moutere, Marist a bye.