Golden Bay-Motueka made a winning start to the defence of their Seddon Shield districts under-52kg rugby title with a 10-7 win over Marlborough in Westport.
Yesterday's slender winning margin belied the contribution of a dominant Golden Bay-Motueka forward pack, with only a superb defensive effort by Marlborough contributing to a scoreless second half.
First five-eighth Josh McPherson scored both of Golden Bay-Motueka's first-half tries in a man-of-the-match performance, while winger Lachie Gray scored for Marlborough, halfback Jack Shadbolt adding the conversion.
In yesterday's other clash, Buller beat West Coast 34-14 and Nelson had the bye. Golden Bay-Motueka had today's bye, and Nelson were due to play Buller and Marlborough were to play West Coast.
Marlborough made a disappointing start to their Seddon Shields primary schools rugby tournament campaign at Westport yesterday.
The young Red Devils were edged out 7-10 by a well-drilled and determined Golden Bay Motueka side, although coach David Nott said his young Marlborough charges did not disgrace themselves and gave it everything.
Wing Lachie Gray scored an early try for Marlborough, a fine finishing effort and Marlborough's player of the day Jack Shadbolt, converted.
Marlborough almost clinched the match in the final minutes, once being held up over the tryline and on a second occasion coming centimetres short of scoring.
Others to shine in the beaten side included loose forwards Josh Godsiff and Wilson Meadowcroft.
A warm and sunny day greeted the five participating Seddon Shield teams in Westport yesterday as the 78th running the Primary Schools rugby tournament began. Mayor Pat McManus officially opened the tournament at Victoria Square before Golden Bay-Motueka and Marlborough contested the first match.
Golden Bay-Motueka are the defending champions of the tournament after their success last year in Hokitika and they started their defence of the Shield with a nail biting 10-7 victory. It was a come from behind victory for the George Sturgeon coached side as Marlborough were the first team to post points with a long ranged try through winger Lachie Gray, converted by Jack Shadbolt. Golden Bay-Mot were quick to reply however as first five eight and captain Josh McPherson crossed out wide just five minutes later to narrow the margin 7-5 at halftime. McPherson managed to score his second try for the Golden Bay-Mot side early into the second half to take the lead 10-7. Marlborough had a sustained period on attack on the Golden Bay-Mot try line in the closing stages of the match however their defence stood tall to record the first victory of the tournament. Referee Paul Bonisch
Host team Buller was impressive in their first match of the tournament against near rivals West Coast, running out victors 34-14 in the day’s second game. In a true Buller - West Coast encounter both teams threw everything at each other in the opening stages. Buller were the first to score through captain Alex O’Connor after he managed to burrow his way over after Buller had controlled much of the possession in the early stages. Josh James was successful with his first conversion to make it 7-0. West Coast hit back immediately with a converted try to Taylor McInroe to level the scores 7-7. Buller managed to regain the lead with a try to loose forward Joel Hands before West Coast prop Jack Greig replied to score under the posts for West Coast to have yet another lead change 14-12. It was the hosts who managed to take a small lead into the second half however as fullback Daniel Beveridge managed to step and out sprint his opponents to score out wide and make the halftime score 17-14. Played in front of a large local crowd the Buller side were able to put together a powerful second half display scoring 17 unanswered points to record a bonus point victory. Tries were scored by halfback Blaine Meikle who had an exceptional game on both attack and defence, Josh James who was a threat to the West Coast defence all day with his strong direct running and to Ryan McHugh who worked tirelessly all game. In recording the win Buller have also retained the Bernie Stewart Memorial trophy played between these two teams annually. Referee - Nathan Thompson
Nelson enjoyed the surroundings of the Solid Energy Centre yesterday during their bye.
Golden Bay 10 (Joshua McPherson 2 tries) def. Marlborough 7 (Lachie Gray try, Jack Shadbolt conv)
Buller 34 (Alex O,Connor, Joel Hands, Daniel Beveridge, Josh James, Blaine Meikle, Ryan McHugh tries, James 2 conversions) def. West Coast 14 (Talyor McInroe, Jack Greig tries, McInroe 2 conv)
SUBWAY PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Buller - Blaine Meikle
West Coast - Iraia De Goldie
Marlborough – Jack Shadbolt
Golden Bay-Mot – Joshua McPherson